A Comparative Study of Socio-cultural Factors Contributing to Matemal Mortality in Urban and Rural Areas of the Southern Part of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Maternal mortality is a major health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the difference in socio-cultural factors contributing to maternal mortality in urban and rural areas of in the Southern part of Edo State (Nigeria). The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study that involved two thousand one hundred and fifty seven (2,157) women of reproductive age selected through a multi-stage sampling random sampling technique. Data collection was done by the means of (ⅰ) a self developed structured and validated questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.82, (ⅱ) focus group discussion (FGD) and, (ⅲ) an in-depth interview guide. The results showed no significant difference between urban and rural women in decision making power (x² = 0.63; P ＞ .5). Early marriage and early child bearing are significantly more prevalent in the urban areas than in rural areas (x² = 205.33, df = 6; P ＞ .5). Early marriage, which is traditionally a rural phenomenon, seem to be shifting to urban communities.