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Two decades after the initiation of Safe Motherhood, maternal mortality is still high, especially in developing countries. Studies confirm that skilled attendance at delivery could reduce maternal mortality ratios. The general objective of the study was to determine the barriers to skilled delivery in the Ga West District in Ghana. The study sought to specifically look at the level of utilization, availability and quality of maternal health services and also the factors that influence the utilization of these services. Fascinating results such as 92% of the respondents attending antenatal care (ANC) at least once during pregnancy with only 62% delivering in health facilities among others are presented. Recommendations to improve skilled delivery in the district are also given.

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Phillipina Schandorf received her BSc in Biological Sciences and MPH in Population and Reproductive Health from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. She is a Health Research Officer with the Ghana Health Service. She is also a member of the Partnership of Social Scientists in Infectious Diseases of Poverty.

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