Effect of cetuximab plus FOLFOX4 regimen on clinical outcomes in advanced gastric carcinoma patients receiving evidence-based care

BACKGROUND Although chemotherapy is effective for treating advanced gastric carcinoma(aGC),it may lead to an adverse prognosis.Establishing a highly effective and low-toxicity chemotherapy regimen is necessary for improving efficacy and outcomes in aGC patients.AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of cetuximab(CET)combined with the FOLFOX4 regimen(infusional fluorouracil,folinic acid,and oxaliplatin)as firstline therapy for patients with aGC,who received evidence-based care(EBC).METHODS A total of 117 aGC patients who received EBC from March 2019 to March 2022 were enrolled.Of these,60 in the research group(RG)received CET+FOLFOX4 as first-line therapy,whereas 57 in the control group(CG)received FOLFOX4.The efficacy[clinical response rate(RR)and disease control rate(DCR)],safety(liver and kidney dysfunction,leukopenia,thrombocytopenia,rash,and diarrhea),serum tumor marker expression[STMs;carbohydrate antigen(CA)19-9,CA72-4,and carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)],inflammatory indicators[interleukin(IL)-2 and IL-10],and quality of life(QOL)of the two groups were compared.RESULTS A markedly higher RR and DCR were observed in the RG compared with the CG,with an equivalent safety profile between the two groups.RG exhibited notably reduced CA19-9,CA72-4,CEA,and IL-2 levels following treatment,which were lower than the pre-treatment levels and those in the CG.Post-treatment IL-10 was statistically increased in RG,higher than the pre-treatment level and the CG.Moreover,a significantly improved QOL was evident in the RG.CONCLUSION The CET+FOLFOX4 regimen is highly effective as first-line treatment for aGC patients receiving EBC.It facilitates the suppression of STMs,ameliorates the serum inflammatory microenvironment,and enhances QOL,without increased adverse drug effects.

Necessary prerequisites for evidence-based practice:results of investigating nurses'informatics competency and information literacy skills

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between nursing informatics(NI)competency and information literacy skills for evidencebased practice(EBP)among intensive care nurses.This cross-sectional study was conducted on 184 nurses working in intensive care units(ICUs).The study data were collected through demographic information,Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment Tool(NICAT),and information literacy skills for EBP questionnaires.The intensive care nurses received competent and low-moderate levels for the total scores of NI competency and information literacy skills,respectively.They received a moderate score for the use of different information resources but a low score for information searching skills,different search features,and knowledge about search operators,and only 31.5%of the nurses selected the most appropriate statement.NI competency and related subscales had a significant direct bidirectional correlation with information literacy skills for EBP and its subscales(P<0.05).Nurses require a high level of NI competency and information literacy for EBP to obtain up-to-date information and provide better care and decision-making.Health planners and policymakers should develop interventions to enhance NI competency and information literacy skills among nurses and motivate them to use EBP in clinical settings.

Research on the Application of Evidence-Based Quality Control Circle to Improve the Implementation Rate of Airway Management Measures in Adult Critically Ill Patients

Objective: To explore the effect of evidence-based quality control circle (QCC) in improving the implementation rate of airway management measures in adult critically ill patients. Methods: Based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) evidence-based health care model, the best evidence of airway management in adult critically ill patients was obtained and applied to the clinic. Results: The total implementation rate of airway management measures in adult critically ill patients increased from 23.62% before the implementation of quality control circle to 88.82%, and the pulmonary infection rate in critically ill patients decreased from 42.31% to 21.74%, with statistical significance between the two groups (P 0.05). Conclusion: Evidence-based quality control circle activities can standardize the practice standards of airway management in critically ill patients, reduce the occurrence of patients’ airway related complications, and improve clinical outcomes.

Reality of evidence-based practice in palliative care

There has been a paradigm shift in medicine away from tradition, anecdote and theoretical reasoning from the basic sciences towards evidence-based medicine(EBM). In palliative care however, statistically significant benefits may be marginal and may not be related to clinical meaningfulness. The typical treatment vs. placebo comparison necessitated by ‘gold standard' randomised controlled trials(RCTs) is not necessarily applicable. The complex multimorbidity of end of life care involves considerations of the patient's physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. In addition, the field of palliative care covers a heterogeneous group of chronic and incurable diseases no longer limited to cancer. Adequate sample sizes can be difficult to achieve, reducing the power of studies and high attrition rates can result in inadequate follow up periods. This review uses examples of the management of cancer-related fatigue and death rattle(noisy breathing) to demonstrate the current state of EBM in palliative care. The future of EBM in palliative care needs to be as diverse as the patients who ultimately derive benefit. Non-RCT methodologies of equivalent quality, validity and size conducted by collaborative research networks using a ‘mixed methods approach' are likely to pose the correct clinical questions and derive evidencebased yet clinically relevant outcomes.

Evidence-based Care for Rehabilitation Nursing Effect of Patients with Patellar Fracture

Objective.To analyze the effect of applying evidence-based care in rehabilitation nursing effect of patients with patellar fractures.Methods.A total of 54 patients with patellar fractures were randomly selected from the hospital.The diagnosis and treatment time were from the beginning of July 2018 to end of June 2019.The digital table grouping was adopted to divide patients into two groups with each group consists of 27 patients with this disease.Both groups underwent routine nursing and the experimental group with increased evidence-based care.Results.Compared with the control group,the knee function evaluation,complications and nursing satisfaction of the experimental group were more ideal,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion.Evidence-based care in rehabilitation nursing of patients with patellar fracture can obtain ideal nursing effect.

Evidence-Based Practice and Job Satisfaction of Nurses in Long-Term Care

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between evidence-based practice (EBP) and job satisfaction among nurses working in long-term care facilities. Methods: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. A total of 146 nurses working in 6 long-term care facilities in South Korea self-reported their perception of EBP implementation, barriers to research utilization, and job satisfaction. Results: The level of job satisfaction was higher in nurses who were single, older, more experienced, and had a higher income. Lower perceived barriers to research utilization were associated with greater job satisfaction. However, there was no significant relationship between a level of EBP implementation and job satisfaction. Factors influencing job satisfaction included lower barriers to the organization and communication domains of research utilization, being unmarried and older. Conclusion: Decreasing barriers to research utilization may improve the job satisfaction of nurses working in long-term care facilities.

Clinical application of multidisciplinary team-and evidence-based practice project in gynecological patients with perioperative hypothermia

BACKGROUND Perioperative hypothermia(PH)negatively affects the physical and mental health of patients to varying degrees.Currently,there is no effective multidisciplinary team(MDT)intervention for gynecological patients with PH.AIM To apply the best evidence on the prevention and management of PH in gynecological patients,improve the quality of perioperative evidence-based care based on treatment by an MDT for gynecological patients and analyze the effect of MDT-and evidence-based practice(EBP)projects on the psychological status and cognitive function of gynecological patients with PH.METHODS Under the guidance of knowledge translation and combined with the opinions of involved stakeholders and clinical experts,the best evidence for PH prevention and management in gynecological patients was selected and adjusted to suit the practice setting.Based on the evidence,the practice plan was developed,and the MDT intervention was carried out in the preoperative ward,the preoperative preparation room,the intraoperative operating room,the postanesthesia care unit,and the 24-hour postoperative gynecological ward through the EBP program.The incidence of hypothermia,the nurses’awareness,the implementation rate of examination indicators,and the thermal comfort level,psychological status and cognitive function of patients were compared before and after the implementation of the program.RESULTS The incidence of PH in gynecological patients decreased from 43.33%to 13.33%after the implementation of the scheme.The implementation rate of examination indicators 6-10,12,14,16-18,21,and 22 reached 100%,and that of other indicators was above 90%,except for examination indicators 5 and 13,which was 66.67%;the indices were significantly improved compared with the baseline(before evidence application)(P<0.05).The score of nurses'awareness of PH prevention and management in gynecological patients increased from 60.96±9.70 to 88.08±8.96,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).The total score of the perioperative thermal comfort level of patients undergoing gynecological surgery was 27.97±2.04,which was significantly increased compared with the score of 21.27±1.57 observed by researchers at baseline(P<0.001).The perioperative Hamilton Depression Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Scale scores of patients undergoing gynecological surgery decreased from 15.03±3.16 and 13.93±2.64 to 4.30±1.15 and 3.53±0.78,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P<0.001).The perioperative Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale score of the gynecological surgery patients increased from 23.17±1.68 to 26.93±1.11,also with statistical significance(P<0.001).CONCLUSION MDT-based EBP for PH prevention and management in gynecological patients during the perioperative period can standardize nursing operations,improve nurses'awareness and behavioral compliance with gynecological hypothermia management,and reduce the occurrence of PH in gynecological patients while playing a positive role in reducing patients’negative emotions and enhancing their cognitive function.

Estimating the impact of antenatal care visits on institutional delivery in India: A propensity score matching analysis

Literature asserts that prenatal care is an imperative factor for subsequent health care utilization. However, in the Indian settings presence of selection bias while determining the impact of ANC visits on institutional delivery has been overlooked by the researchers. Therefore this paper aims to examine the net impact of ANC visits on subsequent utilization of institutional delivery after removing the presence of selection bias using recent round of National Family Health survey data. The analysis has been carried out in two separate models, in the first model 1-2 ANC visits been compared with no visit and in the second model three or more antenatal care visits with no visit. The propensity score matching analysis used in this study sheds new light into this line of research which provides an effective strategy for controlling the confounding influence of institutional delivery. Employing the propensity score matching estimation approach we found women who made 1-2 ANC visits had 6.6 percent higher chance to deliver in an institution compared to women who made no visit. In addition, if a woman visited health centre three or more than three times, her chances were 31 percent higher to deliver in an institution. Result based on sensitivity analysis suggests that selection bias on unobserved covariates would have to be around 40 percent to alter the impact of 1-2 ANC visits. Findings suggest that interventions which plan to increase institutional delivery should target pregnant women who come for ANC checkups at institution first time, and health workers should encourage women to return to the health centre for more numbers of visits, as our results indicate that three or more ANC visits significantly change the women’s attitudes towards institutional delivery.

Male Involvement in the Maternal Health Care: Expectations of Pregnant Women in Bolgatanga Municipality in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Background: Male involvement during pregnancy and childbirth is very important as it has been shown to increase the number of times a pregnant woman undertakes antenatal care visits before delivery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between the background characteristics of participants and their male partners’ involvement in maternal health care in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Upper East Region. Methods: The study design employed was a facility-based cross-sectional study design in 9 health facilities in the Bolgatanga municipality. The study populations for this study consisted of pregnant women using antenatal services in the health facilities before the commencement of this current study and are residents of the Bolgatanga municipality. A multistage sampling strategy was used in the sampling of participants for this study with an estimated sample size of 422. Results: Findings show that the majority of 403 (95.5%) of the participants expect their male partner accompanies them during the antenatal care clinic. The chi-square test revealed that marital status had a significant influence on male partners’ support in house chore and support in antenatal care service (P-value of 0.001 and 0.002, Conclusion: This study’s findings showed that pregnant women always want their male partners to accompany them to antenatal care and during labour and delivery. The pregnant women expected their male partners to be educated on the effects of pregnancy, how to take care of a pregnant woman, how to tolerate their partners, Sex during pregnancy, and how to prepare for emergencies (blood donation, transportation and finance).

The artificial intelligence evidence-based medicine pyramid

Several studies exist in the literature regarding the exploitation of artificial intelligence in intensive care.However,an important gap between clinical research and daily clinical practice still exists that can only be bridged by robust validation studies carried out by multidisciplinary teams.

Determinants of Home Deliveries by Pregnant Mothers in Lumbo Chabbobboma Zone of Gwembe District in Zambia

Background: Home deliveries is still high globally at 42% WHO 2022, due to high home deliveries, maternal death is also high at 43% globally. In sub-Sahara region home deliveries still high. Giving birth at health facilities in most of sub-Saharan African countries Zambia inclusive is still a challenge whereby more than 51% of first-time mothers give birth at home and this gives a risk of high maternal and perinatal deaths. Therefore Reducing number of home deliveries is important to improve maternal and perinatal health issues. In this study, the aim was to investigate the determinants of home deliveries by pregnant mothers in the Luumbo zone of Gwembe district, Zambia. Purpose: Access to skilled care and facilities with capacity to provide emergency and newborn care is critical to reduce maternal death. In Zambia 42% of women still deliveries from home, suggesting a persistent challenge for women to seek, reach, and receive quality maternity care. This study aimed investigate the determinants of home deliveries by pregnant mothers in Luumbo zone of Gwembe district, Zambia. Methods: The study was conducted among postnatal mothers who came for postnatal care at 6 weeks in Luumbo Chabbobboma clinic in Gwembe district southern province of Zambia. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study where a Simple random sampling technique was used to select 105 women of childbearing age who attended postnatal and had a recent delivery. Data were collected using a researcher-administered structured questionnaire to identify determinants of home deliveries in Luumbo Chabbobboma zone. Data analysis was done using SPSS computer software version 27.0. Both descriptive and inferential (chi-square test) analyses were performed and statistical significance was taken at α ≤ 0.05. Results: The results show that 46 (43.8%) respondents were in the age bracket 20 - 29 years. Of the 105 respondents included in the study, 24 (22.9%) of them delivered from home. The results show that high maternal age (p = 0.03), occupation (p = 0.024), distance to the facility (p = 0.014), means of transportation (p = 0.023), multiparity (p = 0.01), timing and number of ANC visits (p Conclusion: From this population. The major reason why women still deliver at home was long distance to the nearest facility. To reduce maternal and perinatal mortality access to health facilities by pregnant women needs to be improved. There should also be active engagement of the traditional and religious institutions in the area.

Adapting chronic care models for diabetes care delivery in low-and-middle-income countries:A review

A contextual review of models for chronic care was done to develop a context-adapted chronic care model-based service delivery model for chronic conditions including diabetes.The Philippines was used as the setting of a low-to-middle-income country.A context-based narrative review of existing models for chronic care was conducted.A situational analysis was done at thegrassroots level,involving the leaders and members of the community,the patients,the local health system and the healthcare providers.A second analysis making use of certain organizational theories was done to explore on improving feasibility and acceptability of organizing care for chronic conditions.The analyses indicated that care for chronic conditions may be introduced,considering the needs of people with diabetes in particular and the community in general as recipients of care,and the issues and factors that may affect the healthcare workers and the health system as providers of this care.The context-adapted chronic care model-based service delivery model was constructed accordingly.Key features are:incorporation of chronic care in the health system's services; assimilation of chronic care delivery with the other responsibilities of the healthcare workers but with redistribution of certain tasks; and ensuring that the recipients of care experience the whole spectrum of basic chronic care that includes education and promotion in the general population,risk identification,screening,counseling including self-care development,and clinical management of the chronic condition and any co-morbidities,regardless of level of control of the condition.This way,low-to-middle income countries can introduce and improve care for chronic conditions without entailing much additional demand on their limited resources.

Use of systems change and health information technology to integrate comprehensive tobacco cessation services in a statewide system for delivery of healthcare

Despite the availability of effective treatments and recommendations for systems change, full application of the USPublic Health Service clinical practice guideline for the treatment of tobacco use is seldom achieved. The present report describes a comprehensive, structured approach used to implement the guideline and to integrate evidence-based cessation services into a system for delivery of health care. The PRECEDE-PROCEDE model and systems strategies were employed to design and implement the Tobacco Control Initiative (TCI), which provides evidence-based cessation services for the patients of a statewide public hospital system. For the TCI, multi-level assessments, pilot programs, electronic data collection, and performance feedback were needed to produce system-wide changes in workflow and in the quality of care for tobacco users. Although there are advances in health information technology (HIT), systems approaches are required for responding effectively to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HI-TECH) Act and to standards governing use of electronic data related to treatment of tobacco use and dependence.

Study of the Factors Associated with Home Delivery in a Situation of Free Care in Senegal

Introduction: Home delivery is still a health problem in Kolda (Senegal). The aim of this work is to study the factors associated with the place of delivery in a situation of free care delivery. Method: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was carried out. Sampling was in two-stage clusters. The study focused on women who gave birth in the last 12months. The data were collected during an individual interview at home. The collection focused on knowledge, attitudes and practices about delivery. Logistic regression was used to explore the determinants of childbirth at the level of health facility. Results: The average age was 25.4 ± 6.5 years. Among the interviewed women, education was reported in 35% of the women and 55% of women estimate that the closest health facility is within 5 km to their home. The time to get to the nearest health facility is less than 15 minutes for 39% of the interviewed women. The prevalence of home delivery was 43.5%. Home delivery was related to the remoteness of the health facility (2.43 [1.75 - 3.37]) but also to incomplete antenatal care (2.52 [1.59 - 4.00]). Support groups highlighted difficulties of access to health facilities because of remoteness. Interviews revealed a lack of involvement of husbands in seeking care for women. Cultural barriers are still there. Conclusions: Despite the gratuity of delivery, the remoteness of health structures and socio-cultural factors are still barriers to access to care for pregnant women. These aspects must be taken into account in health policies. Multi-lateral interventions should be implemented to provide solutions for this health problem.

Community health worker model for health care delivery and environment programs focused on initiatives in USA and India

Community health workers are equipped with the tools and resources necessary to bring about a change in the form of a rapid chain reaction.The community health workers model focuses on the practices,strategies,plans,and implementation techniques needed to organize a community health event based on diverse agendas:health,environment,and minorities.This model encompasses past experiences as a guide with tested strategies to assist future health interns with a ground framework and resources to showcase the importance of adopting healthy and environmentally friendly practices.The basic outline of the model is based on data collected from various community health events in Illinois(United States of America)and New Delhi(India).These events included back to school fairs,cleanliness drives,health camps,and educational events.As community health workers can help in implementing better practices in the masses through one-on-one interactions,this model of community health worker programs would outline event organization tips,predicted outcomes,targeted audience,and required material templates.The next phase of this model highlights utilizing the data and experience from these events to report to the health ministries of different countries for the incorporation of the proposed practices in their health agendas and policies.This model,if implemented unanimously,could bring about a revolution in the arena of health workers.They will be assisted at each step,will establish connections with health workers globally,and share their health and environment-based agendas to collaborate and organize important events.This model envisions a strong established network of community health workers,display of their agenda,and creation of a ripple effect throughout the society by the means of these programs.

Self-care:A concept analysis

Objectives:There is extensive literature from various disciplines on self-care,an important aspect of nursing intervention via evaluation and education,but its meaning remains unprecise due to the difficulty integrating the diverse definitions developed over time across disciplines.Therefore,it is vital to clarify the meaning of self-care and formulate the defining attributes,antecedents,and consequences to self-care.Methods:Walker and Avant’s concept analysis approach was used to analyze the concept of self-care.A search of the literature was completed using the databases CINAHL,PubMed,and EBSCOhost for years 1975e2020;literature search included peer-review articles,full-text publications,and available in English.A total of 31 articles were reviewed,and saturation was reached.Results:An extensive review of the literature revealed salient characteristics that reflected the most frequently used terms associated with the concept.Guided byWalker and Avant’s method,three defining attributes emerged as common themes:awareness,self-control,and self-reliance.Conclusions:A clarified definition was identified:the ability to care for oneself through awareness,selfcontrol,and self-reliance in order to achieve,maintain,or promote optimal health and well-being.

Knowledge of“Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections(2011)”:A survey of intensive care unit nursing staffs in China

Aims and objectives:To evaluate intensive care unit(ICU)nurses'knowledge of the updated guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections;to identify the factors that affect the nurses'knowledge and to explore the barriers to adherence to evidence-based guidelines in clinical practice in China.Methods:Cross-sectional surveys were carried out in Chinese ICUs from January 2013 to March 2014.The nurses'demographic information,knowledge of the guidelines,and barriers to adherence were assessed by a validated questionnaire and then analyzed statistically.Results:The questionnaires were completed by 455 ICU nurses from 4 provinces of China.The mean score was 8.17 of 20,and higher scores were significantly associated with province,years of experience,and years of ICU experience.Forty-nine(10.7%)nurses had not heard of the guidelines,whereas 231(50.7%)nurses heard of the guidelines but did not receive training for them.Trained nurses'scores were higher than untrained nurses'scores.The three main barriers to compliance with the guidelines were an unfamiliarity with them,an excessive workload due to a shortage of nurses,and a lack of training.Conclusions:ICU nurses'knowledge of the updated guidelines is quite low,which could be a potential risk factor for patient safety.Multidisciplinary interventions and continuous.

Barriers to nurse-patient communication in primary healthcare centers in Bahrain:Patient perspective

Objectives:Effective and efficient communication is a core element in healthcare systems,especially between healthcare providers and patients.This study aimed to identify communication barriers be-tween nurses and patients in primary healthcare centers in Bahrain.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study conducted across primary healthcare centers in Bahrain.Four hundred and two patients were recruited using convenience sampling.A self-administered question-naire comprising 29 items on communication barriers was used.Results:A total of 402 patients consented to participate.The majority of participants reported the following statements had large effects on communication:“shortage in the number of nurses compared to the large number of patients”(254/401,63.3%),“lack of desire of nurse to communicate with patients”(246/402,61.2%),and“negative attitude of the nurse toward the patient”(238/401,59.4%).Further,“difference in language between nurses and patients,”“lack of self-confidence by nurses,”and“nurses overwhelmed by work”were ranked as top three statements with a significant influence on commu-nication between nurses and patients.Conclusions:Communication between healthcare providers and patients is pivotal for an optimal healthcare service.Based on the findings of this study and the literature,we recommend formal training of health care workers in improving communication skills and including this not only in medical cur-riculum but also in the form of continuing medical education(CMEs)1.

Perceptions of the effectiveness of Advanced Practice Nurses on a neurosurgery unit in a Canadian Tertiary Care Centre:A pre-and-post implementation design

Objectives:A framework for the advanced practice nurse(APN)role was developed in our Canadian Tertiary Care Centre,delineating five domains of advanced nursing practice:clinical practice,consultation,research,education and leadership.The goal of this study was to evaluate perceptions of the effectiveness of the implementation of an innovative APN role on an in-patient Neurosurgery unit.Methods:A pre-and-post implementation design,incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data,was utilized.An innovative APN role was implemented within the Neurosurgery program focusing on the clinical domain and required the successful candidates to be NP prepared.This APN role was designed to improve patient flow,documentation,communication and patient and staff satisfaction.Three primary outcomes were measured:pre-implementation questionnaire(nurses),post-implementation questionnaire(nurses and residents)and number of pages to the on-call resident.Results:Survey scores by nurses and residents indicated improvement across all aspects studied.Average scores increased from 1.1 to 2.6,reflecting an overall statistically significant increase.The number of pages to the on-call resident also showed a decrease.Conclusion:Perceptions of patient care delivery and professional collaboration improved following implementation of the APN role.Responses indicated that APNs significantly impacted patient care and improved nurses and residents'job satisfaction.

Investigating the Determinants of Maternal Care Services Utilization in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Ghanaian governments have made some social interventions in order to reduce risks associated with pregnancy and child delivery. However, most pregnant women do not seek maternal care. Previous studies have examined factors contributing to maternal care services utilization in Ghana using national data which limit such study applicability in some areas with specific background characteristics. These studies have mostly limited it to rural areas where the utilization is very low. This study seeks to bridge the gaps identified by exploring the factors which influence maternal care utilization in urban and rural communities in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The Chi-Square test of association and the logistic regression models are used to analyze data obtained from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). The data analyses were carried out using R and STATA softwares. The results revealed that women with at least 5 children were less likely (OR = 0.374, 95% CI: 0.173 - 0.796) to utilize antenatal care compared to those who had less than five live births. Educated women are three times likely (95% CI: 1.929 - 5.257) to deliver at a health facility compared to uneducated women. Women from the rich wealth quintile were nearly 16.9 times more likely (95% CI: 4.816 - 107.124) to deliver in a health facility compared to those from the poor wealth quintile. On the other hand, residing in rural communities makes it less likely (OR = 0.569, 95% CI: 0.350 - 0.913) for women to receive postnatal care within 2 months of delivery compared to living in urban communities. This study has demonstrated that maternal educational level plays a crucial role in maternal health care service utilization in the region. Therefore, government policies and programs aimed at providing more educational opportunities for girls in the region should be reinforced.