Background: Despite the slight progress made on Antenatal Care (ANC) utilization, skilled delivery care service utilization
in Ethiopia is still far-below any acceptable standards. Only 10% of women receive assistance from skilled birth attendants
either at home or at health institutions, and as a result the country is recording a high maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 676
per 100,000 live births (EDHS, 2011). Hence, this study aimed at identifying the rural-urban differentials in the predictors
of skilled delivery care service utilization in Ethiopia.
Methods: The study used the recent Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS 2011) data. Women who had at
least one birth in the five years preceding the survey were included in this study. The data were analyzed using univariate
(percentage), bivariate (chi-square) and multivariate (Bayesian logistic regression).
Results: The results showed that of the total 6,641 women, only 15.6% received skilled delivery care services either at home
or at health institution. Rural women were at greater disadvantage to receive the service. Only 4.5% women in rural areas
received assistance from skilled birth attendants (SBAs) compared to 64.1 % of their urban counter parts. Through Bayesian
logistic regression analysis, place of residence, ANC utilization, women’s education, age and birth order were identified as
key predictors of service utilization.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for coordinated effort from government and stakeholders to improve women’s
education, as well as strengthen community participation. Furthermore, the study recommended the need to scale up the
quality of ANC and family planning services backed by improved and equitable access, availability and quality of skilled
delivery care services.