Challenges That Hinder Pregnant Mothers and Their Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services in Nigeria

Abstract

Women of reproductive age are prone to face deaths and complications from maternal-related health issues if they do not utilize proper healthcare services. Certain challenges act as a disparity and hinder women of reproductive age from accessing maternal health care services leading to deaths and further complications. The study investigated the challenges in pregnancy and how they create disparities in the health of women through poor utilization of maternal healthcare services. The study adopted a phenomenological qualitative design and data was gathered through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The sample size for this study was 24 women of reproductive age from Okrika Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria. Results of the study revealed that the majority of the women had a good knowledge of maternal healthcare services. Still, there was poor utilization of these care services due to challenges resulting from poverty, distance, religious beliefs, and inappropriate staff attitude which leads to poor care of the pregnant mother and the fetus resulting in preventable deaths and complications. The study concludes that these challenges that affect the utilization of maternal healthcare services must be addressed in order to help promote women’s health and also improve the actualization of Sustainable Development Goals. Thus, there is a need for social service research that highlights the plights of women of reproductive age to ensure that their lives, health, and well-being are promoted. This study also recommends the continuous training of health workers to enable them to know how best to attend to these women.