Perceived factors affecting the utilization of maternity services in primary healthcare centre at a rural community in Northcentral, Nigeria
1 Department of Public Health, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.
2 Department of Community Medicine, Delta state University, Abraka, Nigeria.
3 Department of Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Italy.
4 Department of Community Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
5 Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Wisconsin International University College, Accra Ghana.
6 Department of Community Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 24(02), 903–914
Publication history:
Received on 30 September 2024; revised on 08 November 2024; accepted on 11 November 2024
Abstract:
Background: Maternal health forms an important measure of healthcare quality, and maternal health services which involves prenatal, birth, and postnatal care is necessary to enhance maternal health and survival, decrease maternal morbidity and mortality. With a greater rate in rural than in urban regions, Nigeria contributes significantly to the global burden of avoidable maternal mortality. Utilization of maternal health services would reduce maternal mortality. Mortality among mothers would decrease with the use of maternal health care. The purpose of this study was to establish the degree to which maternal service utilization and the perceived factors influencing it in a rural community in North Central Nigeria.
Methods: In a rural community in North Central Nigeria, women of childbearing age (15–49 years) participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study. 240 women were recruited using a multistage sample procedure, and data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine the data using SPSS version 26.
Results: This study reveal 65.9% of the respondents utilized ANC at PHC, 29.1% gave birth the PHC and 35% utilized PNC at the PHC. Factors affecting the utilization of maternity services at the PHC includes: mothers’ level of education and age. Other perceived factors include; insufficient health workers, long waiting period, husband’s support and history of pregnancy complications.
Conclusion: High levels of ANC consumption were observed at PHC, however low levels of PHC delivery and PNC service utilization were observed. The use of maternal health services is influenced by two main factors: age and education.
Keywords:
Antenatal care; Maternity care; Delivery service; Postnatal care; Women; Primary Health Care; Nigeria
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