Abstract

Background: Bypassing is defined as “a delivery that takes place in the health facility that is not the closest to mothers’ home”. Bypassing imposes financial hardship to women and causes inefficient use of resources within health care system. Objective: To assess bypassing Primary Health Care facility (PHC) and associated factors among women seeking delivery service. Method: We employed facility based cross sectional study design; and used Systematic random sampling technique to select participants. Statistical association was determined using Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Result: This study revealed 68.5% bypass rate which is associated with educational status (AOR) 4.1 (95% CI: 1.55-11.10), perceived service quality AOR 0.37 (95% CI: 0.16-0.85, availability of drugs and supplies AOR 0.32 (95% CI: 0.13-0.75), and information on referral letter AOR 0.20 (95% CI: 0.09-0.47). Conclusion and recommendation: The proportion of bypassers is significantly high and it urges stake holders to strengthen and improve PHC facilities.

Keywords: Bypassing, PHC facilities, Delivery service, NEMMCS hospital, Ethiopia