Abstract
Nigeria is on the verge of not meeting the fifth millennium development goals of improving maternal health due to a high maternal mortality rate which is estimated to be 630 women per 100,000 live births and lack of utilization of maternal health care services is a major contributing factor. Hence, the study was designed to explore awareness and barriers to the utilization of maternal health care services among reproductive women (15 to 45 years) in Amassoma community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study population consists of women of reproductive age (15 to 45 years). A purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 192. Data were collected using a questionnaire and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data generated. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents [182 (94.8%)] have heard of maternal health services but only few actually knew the main services rendered at maternal health care services. Regression coefficient showed significant association between educational status and utilization of maternal health care services (MHCS) among the respondents (beta = 0.47, p = 0.000); parity and utilization of MHCS (beta = -0.14, p = 0.016); and age and utilization of MHCS (beta = -0.19, p = 0.001). The major variables associated with barriers to utilization of maternal health services among respondents were poor knowledge of the existing services, previous bad obstetric history; attitude of the health care provider, availability, accessibility and husband's acceptance of the maternal healthcare services. It is recommended that Government should subsidize maternal health services in order to make it affordable, acceptable and available to women. Also nurses should encourage women of reproductive age to utilize maternal health by providing a welcoming and supportive attitude at all contacts. Key words: Awareness, barrier, utilization, maternal health care services, reproductive age, women.
Highlights
High maternal morbidity and mortality rate is a huge public health problem in the developing countries of the world, including Nigeria
It is reported that, for every women that dies from pregnancy-related causes, 20 to 30 more will develop short- and long-term damage to their reproductive organs resulting in disabilities such as obstetric fistula, pelvic inflammatory disease, a ruptured uterus, etc (World Health Organization (WHO), 2007; Shiffman and Okonofua, 2007)
Despite the existence of national programs for improving maternal and child health in Nigeria, maternal mortality and morbidity continue to be high and studies suggested that the majority of maternal deaths can be prevented or reduced if women had access to, or visited maternal health services during pregnancy, childbirth and the first month after delivery (Dayaratna, 2000; WHO, 2004; Federal Ministry of Health, 2005)
Summary
High maternal morbidity and mortality rate is a huge public health problem in the developing countries of the world, including Nigeria. Many women in developing countries do not have access to maternal healthcare services and it is reported that the use of such services remain low in Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria (Babalola and Fatusi, 2009); where only 58% of women have attended at least one antenatal clinic during pregnancy, 39% of births are attended to by a skilled professional, 35% of deliveries take place in a health facility and 43.7% receive postnatal care (NDHS, 2003; WHO et al, 2012)
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