Assessing Delay in Receiving Adequate and Appropriate Treatment: A Client Perspective among Women Admitted to Emergency Obstetric Hospitals of Ethiopia

Background: In Ethiopia, the maternal death is still unacceptably high, but instead of women dying in their 'hovels', they die in hospitals. For improving quality of medical care in obstetric emergencies, appropriate timing is extremely important and key to reduce maternal mortality. The aim of the study was to assess delay in receiving adequate and appropriate treatment for women faced emergency obstetric complications admitted to emergency room on five referral hospitals of Ethiopia. Methods: Facility based Cross-sectional study was conducted on five referral hospitals of Ethiopia. Mixed of health facilities (university and non-university hospitals) that provide specialized obstetric care and perform a minimum number of 1,000 deliveries per year was considered. Women faced obstetric complications and fulfill world Health Organizations Criteria for potential life-threatening conditions was included in the study. A total of 360 study subjects were sampled. Samples was proportionally allocated to each facilities based on their clients flow and systematic random sampling technique was used to select study subjects. Data was collected using exist interview and from maternal cards. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Multivariable analysis was conducted using logistic regression; variables with the largest p-value of 0.2 in bivariable analysis were included. Result: The mean age of the respondent was 30 year with standard deviation of (SD , ± 6). Out of the total sampled, 60% of them faced obstetric complications at home. Even though, the time of getting appropriate treatment for a women faced obstetric complications vary from complication to complication they faced, but the median time were 1.10 hours. About 49 percent of women faced obstetric complications were delayed to get appropriate treatment which was above the median time. Of which, one in six women were delayed to received appropriate treatment because of training issues. women who got information about emergency obstetric complications were two times more likely to reduce delay in receiving appropriate treatment than women who did not get the information (AOR: 2.09, 95% CI, 1.0-4.36). Conclusion : About 49 percent of women were delayed in receiving appropriate treatment, and women who were got information about emergency obstetric complications were got appropriate treatment on time. Therefore referral hospitals of Ethiopia, are recommended to check there liaison system and emergency medical management protocols. Keywords : Emergency obstetric care, Multivariable analysis, SPSS software, Third delay