Labor companionship utilization and healthcare providers perceptions in Gondar public health facilities: a mixed method study

Abstract Background The World Health Organization strongly recommends companion of choice for all women during health facilities delivery. It is highly significant for enhancing institutional delivery. However, little is known about extent to what labor companionship is utilized and women’s preferen...

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Main Authors: Fasika Alemu Mekonen, Melaku Hunie Asratie, Negalgn Byadgie Gelaw, Bayew Kelkay Rade
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07911-7
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author Fasika Alemu Mekonen
Melaku Hunie Asratie
Negalgn Byadgie Gelaw
Bayew Kelkay Rade
author_facet Fasika Alemu Mekonen
Melaku Hunie Asratie
Negalgn Byadgie Gelaw
Bayew Kelkay Rade
author_sort Fasika Alemu Mekonen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The World Health Organization strongly recommends companion of choice for all women during health facilities delivery. It is highly significant for enhancing institutional delivery. However, little is known about extent to what labor companionship is utilized and women’s preferences. Objective To assess Labor companionship utilization and Healthcare Providers Perceptions in Gondar Public Health facilities 2023. Methods A mixed study design was conducted from December 1/2022 to January 30, 2023. We used simple random sampling techniques (lottery method) to select health facilities and systematic random sampling techniques to select study participants. Semi-structured questionnaires were employed. Data were entered into kobo collect software and analyzed by Stata version 14. Variables with p value ≤ 0.2 were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model and p-value < 0.05 were significant and reported with Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). For qualitative data purposive sampling technique was used and face to face interview guide were employed. Data were transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed by using open code software 4.03. Results The magnitude of labor companionship utilization was 11.3%( 95% CI; 8.9%, 14.3%). Urban residence (AOR = 2.26, (95% CI: 1.08, 4.7)), Primiparous (AOR = 2.3, (95% CI: 1.16, 3.6)), previous history of abortion (AOR = 2.39, (95% CI: 1.15, 4.9)) and good knowledge of women about labor companionship (AOR = 2.26 (95% CI: 1.2, 5.8)) were statistically significant. The main themes that emerged as barriers to the practice of labor companionship were narrow delivery room space, absence of a partition in delivery room, overcrowding of women in one delivery room (privacy issue), lack of awareness on community and health care provider`s on labor companionship. Conclusion The magnitude of labor companionship utilization is low. Urban residence, Primiparous, history of abortion, and having good knowledge on labor companionship were statistically significant. Narrow delivery room space, absence of a partition in delivery room, overcrowding of women in one delivery room(privacy issue), lack of awareness on community and health care provider`s on birth companionship were main barriers. Thus to meet international recommendations that every woman is offered a companion of her choice during labor, the need for multi-layered interventions includes creating private spaces using partitions or curtains to ensure conducive delivery rooms in ways that facilitate the presence of labor companionship.
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spelling doaj-art-23876a30840a48e38b06d5fe7ab50ca72025-08-24T11:56:34ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-08-0125111310.1186/s12884-025-07911-7Labor companionship utilization and healthcare providers perceptions in Gondar public health facilities: a mixed method studyFasika Alemu Mekonen0Melaku Hunie Asratie1Negalgn Byadgie Gelaw2Bayew Kelkay Rade3Department of Midwifery, Teda Health Sciences CollegeDepartment of Women’s and Family Health, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarDepartment of Public Health, Teda Health Sciences CollegeDepartment of Women’s and Family Health, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarAbstract Background The World Health Organization strongly recommends companion of choice for all women during health facilities delivery. It is highly significant for enhancing institutional delivery. However, little is known about extent to what labor companionship is utilized and women’s preferences. Objective To assess Labor companionship utilization and Healthcare Providers Perceptions in Gondar Public Health facilities 2023. Methods A mixed study design was conducted from December 1/2022 to January 30, 2023. We used simple random sampling techniques (lottery method) to select health facilities and systematic random sampling techniques to select study participants. Semi-structured questionnaires were employed. Data were entered into kobo collect software and analyzed by Stata version 14. Variables with p value ≤ 0.2 were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model and p-value < 0.05 were significant and reported with Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). For qualitative data purposive sampling technique was used and face to face interview guide were employed. Data were transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed by using open code software 4.03. Results The magnitude of labor companionship utilization was 11.3%( 95% CI; 8.9%, 14.3%). Urban residence (AOR = 2.26, (95% CI: 1.08, 4.7)), Primiparous (AOR = 2.3, (95% CI: 1.16, 3.6)), previous history of abortion (AOR = 2.39, (95% CI: 1.15, 4.9)) and good knowledge of women about labor companionship (AOR = 2.26 (95% CI: 1.2, 5.8)) were statistically significant. The main themes that emerged as barriers to the practice of labor companionship were narrow delivery room space, absence of a partition in delivery room, overcrowding of women in one delivery room (privacy issue), lack of awareness on community and health care provider`s on labor companionship. Conclusion The magnitude of labor companionship utilization is low. Urban residence, Primiparous, history of abortion, and having good knowledge on labor companionship were statistically significant. Narrow delivery room space, absence of a partition in delivery room, overcrowding of women in one delivery room(privacy issue), lack of awareness on community and health care provider`s on birth companionship were main barriers. Thus to meet international recommendations that every woman is offered a companion of her choice during labor, the need for multi-layered interventions includes creating private spaces using partitions or curtains to ensure conducive delivery rooms in ways that facilitate the presence of labor companionship.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07911-7Labor companionshipUtilizationPostpartum womenEthiopia
spellingShingle Fasika Alemu Mekonen
Melaku Hunie Asratie
Negalgn Byadgie Gelaw
Bayew Kelkay Rade
Labor companionship utilization and healthcare providers perceptions in Gondar public health facilities: a mixed method study
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Labor companionship
Utilization
Postpartum women
Ethiopia
title Labor companionship utilization and healthcare providers perceptions in Gondar public health facilities: a mixed method study
title_full Labor companionship utilization and healthcare providers perceptions in Gondar public health facilities: a mixed method study
title_fullStr Labor companionship utilization and healthcare providers perceptions in Gondar public health facilities: a mixed method study
title_full_unstemmed Labor companionship utilization and healthcare providers perceptions in Gondar public health facilities: a mixed method study
title_short Labor companionship utilization and healthcare providers perceptions in Gondar public health facilities: a mixed method study
title_sort labor companionship utilization and healthcare providers perceptions in gondar public health facilities a mixed method study
topic Labor companionship
Utilization
Postpartum women
Ethiopia
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07911-7
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