Utilization of Health Service and Associated Factors Among Women in Child-bearing Age in Selected Internaly Displaced Persons Camps, Hargeisa – Somaliland

Abstract Introduction: The utilization of health care services is an important public health problem in developing countries for the accomplishment of global health coverage. Access to and use services in health care are significant to the development of health outcomes in many African countries. In most sub-Saharan countries, the utilization of health care services is very low. Reproductive health problems are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women of childbearing age in developing countries. Although global strategies have been planned to improve access to high-quality health services, there are still obstacles to attain. Women of child-bearing age usually need more health services than other age groups, and they are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth, which might result in increased morbidity and mortality. Objective: To assess the utilization of health services and associated factors among women of childbearing age in internal displaced person (IDP) camps in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among women of childbearing age in the selected IDP camps in Hargeisa. Out of eight IDPs in Hargeisa, three were selected by the lottery method. A total of 402 women of childbearing age were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The data were cleaned, coded and entered into SPSS version 23 for further analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse the data. Results: The overall health service utilization among women of childbearing age in Hargeisa IDPs was found to be 61.5%.The age groups of 23 – 27 years old and 33 – 37 years old were 5 times and 3 times more likely to utilize health services, respectively [AOR 5.2 (Cl: 2.1 – 13.0)] and [AOR 2.7 (Cl: 1.2 – 5.9)]. Married women had higher odds of utilizing health services than single women. (AOR: 0.23 (0.07 – 0.73). Conclusion: The overall health service utilization among women in childbearing in IDPs in Hargeisa was found to be unsatisfactory. Respondents’ age group, marital status,and educational level were found to be significantly associated with health service utilization among mothers in childbearing in IDPs in Hargeisa Somaliland.