ARRIVAL TO HEALTH PROFESIONAL VISIT TIME AND ITS PREDICTORS AMOUNG LABORING MOTHERS AT ASELLA TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, ETHIOPIA, 2025G.C

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Arrival-to-health-professional-visit time is critical in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, as delays in this process can lead to severe complications such as hemorrhage, neonatal asphyxia, and sepsis. In Ethiopia, maternal deaths are primarily caused by hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, abortion, and sepsis—conditions that can be prevented with timely access to obstetric care. Delays in care from arrival to health professional visit contribute significantly to maternal deaths, which could be reduced by up to 98% with timely care. This study aims to address the data gap regarding the time from a laboring mother’s arrival to the initial health professional visit and to identify factors causing delays at Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital (ATRH). Objective: To assess the time from arrival to health professional visit and identify its predictors among laboring mothers at Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital in Arsi Zone, Ethiopia, in 2024. Methods: This institutional-based prospective cohort study was conducted from October 5 to November 15, 2024. Data were collected through direct observation and medical records, with pre-testing at Bokoji Hospital. SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate survival functions, and the Log-rank test compared differences in wait times across groups. Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for potential confounders, and multicollinearity was assessed using the variance inflation factor. Results: Out of 670 study participants, approximately 36.4% were seen within 10 minutes after arrival. The restricted mean arrival-to-health-professional-visit time was 26.7 minutes (95% CI: 24.94–28.51). Waiting for a bed (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.50–0.96), availability of essential resources (AOR = 0.358, 95% CI: 0.242–0.531), and availability of staff (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.34–2.88) were statistically significant predictors of delayed arrival-to-health-professional-visit times. Conclusion and Recommendation: A small proportion of mothers were seen within the recommended time frame. Delays due to waiting for a bed, limited essential resources, and insufficient staff were significant predictors of extended arrival times. Addressing these issues can help reduce delays and improve timely care for laboring mothers. Keywords: Arrival time, health professional visit, obstetric triage, predictors of delay.