A COMMUNITY SURVEY ON MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH-SERVICES UTILIZATION IN RURAL ETHIOPIA

A household health interview survey on MCH services utilization was ca rried out in 22 villages of a rural district of Arsi region, Ethiopia, before the launching of an integrated MCH programme. Coverage of ante natal services was 26%, and 61% of the women who received antenatal ca re reported having had 3 or more visits. Antenatal care was positively associated with living within 10 km of the Health Centre. Twenty-eigh t percent of the mothers attended the under-5 clinic and most returned for 3 or more visits. In addition, 99% reported having breast-fed the ir last child but more than 25% started weaning only after the seventh month of age. Differences in practice of treating diarrhoea according to knowledge of ORS were found. Of the 33% of those with knowledge of ORS, almost 90% reported use of ORS for treating child's dirrhoea, sh owing a positive attitude towards modem health care. The proportion of women using family planning was 5%, with no difference found between Christians and Muslims. Results on EPI coverage validated data from ro utine reporting. Integration of MCH services including out-reach activ ities may increase access and coverage of MCH services.