Factors Associated with Maternal Health Problems and Strategies for Promoting Safe Motherhood amongst Pregnant Married Women in Kanke LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study determined the factors associated with maternal health problems and strategies for promoting safe motherhood amongst pregnant married women in Kanke LGA. Survey research design was employed for the study. The population of the study consisted of pregnant married women. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The findings of the study revealed that factors associated with maternal health problems of semi-urban and rural pregnant married women were: pelvic inflammatory diseases, cultural beliefs and traditional practices, maternal mortality and vesico-vaginal fistulae. The factors associated with maternal health problems among age 15 – 30 and 31+ pregnant married women were: poverty, hypertension in pregnancy and prolonged labour. The perceived strategies for promoting safe motherhood were: improving the skills of community health workers, screening of high risk pregnant mothers, even distribution of health care personnel and elimination of cultural beliefs and traditional practices. There was significant difference in the factors associated with maternal health problems amongst semi-urban and rural pregnant married women. There was significant difference in the perceived strategies for promoting safe motherhood between semi-urban and rural pregnant married women. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations on how to curtail the maternal health problems of pregnant women were proffered.