In urban Ethiopia, there are substantial gaps in maternal health service utilization rates. At the Consortium of Universities in Global Health (CUGH) Conference in 2105, JSI staff from Ethiopia presented a study using data from the 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey that investigated associations between women’s use of maternal health services and socio-demographic factors.

1. Background
In urban Ethiopia, there are substantial
gaps in maternal health service utilization
rates. In urban areas of Ethiopia:
Only 50% of pregnant women
received the recommended four or
more antenatal care (ANC) visits.
Only 51% of pregnant women
delivered with a skilled birth
attendant (SBA).
Understanding inequities in service use, and
socio-demographic factors related to these
inequities will help guide urban health
program efforts.
Methods
Using data from the 2011 Ethiopian
Demographic and Health Survey, we
investigated associations between women’s
use of maternal health services and
socio-demographic factors.
Findings
There are substantial inequities in maternal health service utilization use in urban
Ethiopia. The most prominent socio-demographic factors tied to service usage rates
are wealth and education.*
Determinants of Maternal Health Service
Utilization in Urban Ethiopia
Zelalem Geletu, MSc, John Snow, Inc.
Marc Cunningham, MPH, John Snow, Inc.
Sophia Magalona, MPH, John Snow, Inc.
Interpretation
 Inequalities in wealth and education affect
maternal health service utilization in urban
Ethiopia.
To improve maternal health
outcomes, programs should focus
on the poor and less-educated
segments of urban populations.
Acknowledgements
This study and poster were made possible by the generous support of the
American people through the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), through the Maternal and Child Health Integrated
Program.This analysis was conducted in part to inform the USAID Urban
Health Extension Program in Ethiopia. The authors’ views do not necessarily
reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development
or the United States Government.
John Snow, Inc.
Promoting & Improving Health