Attitude towards Access and Utilization of Maternal Health Services by Women at Sabon-Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

A O Chris, G James, S I R Okoduwa

Objective: Maternal deaths are alarmingly high globally due to relatively non-availability and non-use of maternal health services by a sizeable proportion of women in rural communities. Women in North-western Nigeria are presently experiencing the worst survival due to key components of maternal health services not being provided at Primary Health Centres (PHCs). The study, therefore, explores the attitude of women toward access and utilization of Maternal Health Services (MHS) provided by PHCs at Sabon-Gari Local Government area, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A total of 392 women of reproductive ages (15-49 years) were administered questionnaires, out of which 389 were retrieved but only 385 correctly filled and were analyzed quantitatively. Quantitative method of data analysis was used to present the results.

Results: It was observed that the mean age of the respondents was 29-35 years. The mean score of mothers access to maternal health services was 4.2 while the mean point for none acceptance for use of modern health services at PHCs was 2.6.

Conclusion: Findings revealed that community encouraged women to access maternal health services available at primary health centres though most community members still do not fully accept the use of modern health services at primary health centres and this has posed a lot of problem to the health sector. Effective community enlightenment programmes should be put in place in the rural areas by government and non-governmental organizations to improve access and utilization of Maternal Health Services provided by Primary Health Centres.

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