Igyuse, S, Van Hout, MC and Khatri, RJ (2020) Factors influencing maternal health services utilization in a semi-urban community in North-Central part of Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development Africa, 22 (4). pp. 32-44. ISSN 1520-5509

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Abstract

Maternal mortality is a major global health problem particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), and the huge inequality between the high and the low-and middle-income countries remains a great sustainability concern. In subSaharan Africa, Nigeria continues to be one of the countries with the poorest maternal health outcomes with a mortality ratio of over 1000 per 100,000 live births in its Northern region. While there are many determinants of maternal mortality, low utilization of maternal health services (MHS) is a critical factor. The core aims of this study were to assess the utilization of MHS in a semi-urban community of Akpehe, in Makurdi, Central Nigeria and examine factors that might account for MHS utilization. The study used a survey method with a combination of open and closed-ended questions administered to women of reproductive age between 18 and 49 years who had a live birth in the past five years. Univariate and bivariate data analysis were conducted to better understand the association between the independent and the dependent variables. The results highlighted that the antenatal care (ANC) utilization rate was 61%, yet health facility delivery rate was only 38% and postnatal care (PNC) utilization a mere 26.6%. The variables with the greatest influence on MHS utilization were educational level and occupation of the woman and their average household income. There was no correlation between maternal age or marital status on MHS utilization. The study recommends that in order to improve the maternal health outcomes, there needs to be an inter-sectorial collaboration that will increase girl-child education, improve the economic condition of the semi-rural women, and ensure that MHS are accessible, affordable and of good quality

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Divisions:	Public Health Institute
Publisher:	Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania
Date Deposited:	19 Jan 2022 10:01
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2022 10:01
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16087

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