Women's Utilization Research Articles

Women's Views on Factors that Influence Utilisation of Postnatal Follow-Up in Oman: A descriptive, qualitative study.

Postnatal follow-up care (PNFC) is critical for promoting maternal and newborn health and well-being. In Oman, women's utilisation of postnatal follow-up services has declined, with rates as low as 0.29 (mean visits) in some governorates, and fails to meet the recommendation of postnatal follow-up visits at two and six weeks for assessment of the mother and her newborn. The reasons for this low utilisation are not well understood. This study aimed to explore women's views on and identify factors that influence their utilisation of postnatal follow-up services. Purposive sampling was employed and semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 15 women aged 20-39 years at six to eight weeks post-childbirth between May and August 2021. The data were analysed using Erlingsson and Brysiewicz's content analysis approach. The following six categories were identified as influencing PNFC utilisation: 1) need for information; 2) experiences and expectations; 3) family support, expectations and customs; 4) sociocultural beliefs and practice; 5) impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and 6) the healthcare environment. Influencing factors derived from each category include the need to empower women, provide individualised care, address family and community expectations, offer alternatives to face-to-face clinic visits and provide organised and scheduled appointments. Women in Oman identified the need for consistent information from healthcare providers and a more organised postnatal follow-up service that includes scheduled appointments and a woman-centred approach to PNFC.

A Phenomenological Exploration of Women's Utilisation of Maternal Healthcare Services in Bauchi State, Nigeria

A Phenomenological Exploration of Women's Utilisation of Maternal Healthcare Services in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Women's Utilization of Contraceptive Methods during COVID-19 Pandemic in Zagazig city

Women's Utilization of Contraceptive Methods during COVID-19 Pandemic in Zagazig city

Women's postnatal care utilization from a medically trained provider in Bangladesh: Evidence from a cross-sectional study

Maternal and neonatal mortality are still high in Bangladesh. The majority of these deaths occur within two days after delivery. The maximum number of deaths can be eliminated by providing timely postnatal care. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors associated with women's postnatal care utilization from a medically trained provider in Bangladesh. In order to perform this study, we used the most recent data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18. A total of 3,287 women of reproductive age were examined. The multilevel Poisson regression model was used to identify the risk factors related to the utilization of postnatal care. The risk factors that were statistically significant were explained using an incidence rate ratio (IRR) with a 95% confidence interval. The prevalence of women’s postnatal care utilization from a medically trained provider was 51.83%. Women’s secondary education (IRR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.22-1.82), higher secondary education (IRR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.34-2.06), partners higher secondary education (IRR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.10–1.49), partners' other occupations (students, unemployed, imams, or religious leaders) (IRR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.09–1.80), rural areas (IRR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.83-0.98), exposing to mass media (IRR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.07-1.27), richest wealth index (IRR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.24–1.53), and middle wealth index (IRR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.09–1.33) were factors significantly associated with women’s postnatal care utilization. So, focusing on women’s education, partner's education, partner's occupation, place of residence, exposure to mass media, and wealth index can play a vital role in increasing women's postnatal care utilization from a medically trained provider in Bangladesh.

Women's utilisation of quality antenatal care, intrapartum care and postnatal care services in Ethiopia: a population-based study using the demographic and health survey data

ObjectiveThis study sought to investigate the level and determinants of receiving quality antenatal care (ANC), intrapartum care, and postnatal care (PNC) services by women in Ethiopia. The quality of care a woman receives during ANC, intrapartum care, and PNC services affects the health of the woman and her child and her likelihood of seeking care in the future.MethodsData from the nationally representative Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019 were analysed for 5,527 mothers who gave birth within five years preceding the survey. We defined quality ANC as having: blood pressure measurement, urine and blood tests, informed of danger signs, iron supplementation, and nutritional counselling during ANC services; quality intrapartum care as having: a health facility birth, skilled birth assistance, and a newborn put to the breast within one hour of birth during intrapartum care services; and quality PNC as having: PNC within two days; cord examination; temperature measurement, and counselling on danger signs and breastfeeding of the newborn; and healthcare provider's observation of breastfeeding during PNC services. We used multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression analyses specifying three-level models: a woman/household, a cluster, and an administrative region to determine predictors of each care quality. The analyses employed sampling weights and were adjusted for sampling design.ResultsThirty-six percent (n = 1,048), 43% (n = 1,485), and 21% (n = 374) women received quality ANC, intrapartum care and PNC services, respectively. Private healthcare facilities provided higher-quality ANC and PNC but poor-quality intrapartum care, compared to public health facilities. Having four or more ANC visits, commencing ANC during the first trimester, and higher women's education levels and household wealth indices were positive predictors of quality ANC use. Government health posts were less likely to provide quality ANC. Wealthier, urban-residing women with education and four or more ANC contacts were more likely to receive quality intrapartum care. Women who received quality ANC and skilled birth assistance were more likely to receive quality PNC. Teenage mothers were more likely to receive quality intrapartum care, but were less likely to receive quality PNC than mothers aged 20–49.ConclusionsWe recommend standardizing the contents of ANC provided in all healthcare facilities; and promoting early and four or more ANC contacts, effectiveness, sensitivity and vigilance of care provided to teenage mothers, and women's education and economic empowerment.

Community health worker empowerment through collaborative models with community midwifery

From 2007 to 2015, Indonesia’s maternal mortality rate (MMR) increased from 228/100,000 to 305/100,000 live births. The government has established a policy to reduce the MMR in rural and remote areas, which includes the maternal waiting home (MWH) program and the placement of community midwifery. However, the use of MWH in Indonesia, such as in South Sulawesi Province, remains low. This study aimed todetermine the impact of the community health worker (CHW) Empowerment Collaboration Model on the use of maternal waiting home (MWH). This was a quasi-experimental study with a control group and pre-post test design. This investigation was conducted at four community health centers in Bulukumba, South Sulawesi. A total of 125 pregnant women were selected for the study and divided into two groups: 66 in the experimental group and 59 in the control group. The collaborative empowerment model for CHWs was implemented in five stages. CHW provided the experimental group with education. In the experimental group, there were statistically significant increases in knowledge, attitude, and MWH use, whereas there were no statistically significant increases in the control group. Community health worker empowerment with a collaboration model significantly improves pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes, and MWH utilization outcomes (210%).

Differences in health-care utilization in women with and without inflammatory bowel diseases during preconception, pregnancy and postpartum: A population-based cohort study.

Compared to those without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), women with IBD may have increased health-care utilization during pregnancy and postpartum, though this remains to be confirmed. We aimed to characterize this healthcare use between these groups. Administrative databases were accessed to identify women (age 18-55) with and without IBD who had a live, singleton pregnancy between 2003-2018. Differences in emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and prenatal-care during 12-months preconception, pregnancy, and 12-months postpartum were characterized. Multivariable negative binomial regression was performed to report incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Covariates included maternal age at conception, location of residence, socioeconomic status, and maternal comorbidity. 6163 women with IBD (9158 pregnancies) and 1,091,013 women without IBD (1,729,411 pregnancies) were included. Women with IBD were more likely to visit the ED (IRR 1.13, 95% CI,1.08-1.18) and be hospitalized (IRR 1.11, 95% CI,1.01-1.21) during pregnancy, and visit the ED (IRR 1.21, 95% CI, 1.15-1.27) and be hospitalized (IRR 1.18, 95% CI, 1.05-1.32) during postpartum. On unadjusted analysis, women with IBD were more likely to be hospitalized for venous thromboembolic events. There was no difference in healthcare use in preconception. Finally, women with IBD also had greater number of prenatal visits during pregnancy and were more likely to receive a first trimester prenatal visit. Women with IBD have increased healthcare utilization during pregnancy and postpartum. Efforts should be made to increase ambulatory care access during this period which in turn may reduce this health-services utilization.

Patterns of Disease Modifying Therapy Utilization in Women with Multiple Sclerosis Before, During, and After Pregnancy (P9-3.016)

Patterns of Disease Modifying Therapy Utilization in Women with Multiple Sclerosis Before, During, and After Pregnancy (P9-3.016)

Male partner influence on Women's choices and utilisation of family planning services in Mufulira district, Zambia

BackgroundFamily planning services are essential in reducing maternal deaths as well as improving the reproductive and sexual health of women. Although family planning services are frequently focused on women, men are often the primary decision-makers. We conducted a study to explore male partner influence on women's choices and utilisation of family planning services in Mufulira district, Zambia. MethodsA qualitative explorative study design that utilised two focus group discussions (n = 20) and in-depth interviews (n = 30) involving women of reproductive age was conducted. Convenient sampling was employed to select participants. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were recorded, translated, and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was utilised through code classification and theme identification. Data were imported into NVivo.×64 for coding and node generation. FindingsThe study revealed key themes on male partner influence on contraception use such as fear of infidelity, fear of physical abuse, preference for a large family size , disruption of sexual pleasure, and perceived side effects of contraceptives. These themes highlight the influence of culturally driven gender and power dynamics on male partner attitudes towards contraception. Participants described how their male partners exhibited prenatal attitudes and control over them thereby limiting their decision-making power on contraception use. Undesirable contraception side effects such as reduced vaginal lubrication contributed to sexual pleasure disruption among men. Concerns that women's use of contraception can lead to infidelity also contributed to male partner disapproval of contraception use. ConclusionsUnderstanding barriers to contraception utilisation presented by male partners is essential in preventing contraception discontinuation and can increase contraception uptake among women. Our findings highlight the influence of culturally driven gender and power dynamics on male partner attitudes towards contraception. Therefore, male partner education on family planning services is key. Also, men need to be incorporated as key stakeholders when planning and implementing family planning programmes.

The Impact of Women's Agency on Accessing and Using Maternal Healthcare Services: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Agency, defined as the ability to identify one's goals and act upon them, has been recognized as a prominent strategy to access maternal healthcare services (MHS). The purpose of this study was to synthesize evidence of the association between women's agency and MHS utilization. A systematic review was performed on five academic databases, comprising Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and ProQuest. Meta-analysis was performed with a random-effects method using the STATA™ Version 17 software. A total of 82 studies were selected following the PRISMA guidelines. The meta-analysis demonstrated that an increase in women's agency was associated with a 34% increase in the odds of receiving skilled antenatal care (ANC) (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.18-1.52); 7% increase in the odds of initiating the first ANC visit during the first trimester of pregnancy (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01-1.12); 20% increase in the odds of receiving at least one ANC visit (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.04-1.4); 16% increase in the odds of receiving more than four ANC visits during pregnancy (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.12-1.21); 17% increase in the odds of receiving more than eight ANC visits (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.04-1.32); 13% increase in the odds of facility-based delivery (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.09-1.17); 16% increase in the odds of using skilled birth attendants (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.13-1.19); and 13% increase in the odds of receiving postnatal care (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.08-1.19) compared to low level of agency. Any efforts to improve MHS utilization and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality should include the promotion of women's agency.

A Cross-sectional Study on the Utilization of Antenatal Care Services by Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Metropolitan City

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various aspects of people's lives, including health-care delivery and access to maternal and child health services. The current study aims to assess pregnant women's utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services during the COVID-19 pandemic in an urban health center in a metropolitan city. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at urban health and training centers run by Topiwala National Medical College in Mumbai, India. Convenient sampling was used to select 100 study participants who reported to the health center with a pregnancy history between June 2020 and June 2021 and continued till term. A prestructured interview schedule was used to collect data on the utilization of ANC care. Results: Only 53% of the participants completed the recommended four ANC visits, and a mere 20% could avail of the available government schemes. Compliance with the World Health Organization's recommended ANC practices was significantly lower due to the impact of the COVID pandemic. Conclusion: The study highlights the challenges faced by pregnant women in accessing ANC services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Innovative strategies such as telemedicine, online appointments for ANC checkups, and doorstep delivery of vaccines can be implemented to deal with such challenges.

African Immigrant Women's Maternal Health Experiences in Clarkston, Georgia: A Qualitative Study.

The maternal health experiences of African immigrant women, their utilization of health care services, and the effects on maternal health have received limited attention in research. This research explored the maternal health experiences of African immigrant women residing in Clarkston, Georgia, and their use of health services. Fourteen African immigrant women responded to semistructured interviews. An adapted version of the Andersen health care utilization model explained the predisposing factors, enabling factors, and need factors, which influence the use of maternal health care for African immigrant women. Findings were presented according to the Andersen health care utilization model. Analysis of the interviews resulted in 11 themes. The themes were as follows: (1) Community social structure, (2) community health beliefs, (3) health organization concerning the use of women, infants, and children, (4) social support at the individual level, (5) limited English proficiency, (6) need for better health education, (7) perception of care, (8) health financing, (9) long wait times and lack of transportation, (10) fear of medication and obstetrical interventions, and (11) impact of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. Maternal health practices of African immigrant women are impacted by environmental and cultural factors. Public health interventions should be implemented to advance African immigrant women's health care utilization practices through required health education and tailored care, which will translate to positive maternal health experiences.

System-level factors influencing refugee women's access and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services: A qualitative study of providers' perspectives.

Refugee women have poor outcomes and low utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, which may be driven by access to and quality of SRH services at their resettled destinations. While healthcare providers offer valuable insights into these topics, little research has explored United States (U.S.) providers' experiences. To fill this literature gap, we investigate U.S. providers' perspectives of healthcare system-related factors influencing refugee women's access and utilization of SRH services. Between July and December 2019, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 17 providers serving refugee women in metropolitan Atlanta in the state of Georgia (United States). We used convenience and snowball sampling for recruitment. We inquired about system-related resources, facilitators, and barriers influencing SRH services access and utilization. Two coders analyzed the data using a qualitative thematic approach. We found that transportation availability was crucial to refugee women's SRH services access. Providers noted a tension between refugee women's preferred usage of informal interpretation assistance (e.g., family and friends) and healthcare providers' desire for more formal interpretation services. Providers reported a lack of funding and human resources to offer comprehensive SRH services as well as several challenges with using a referral system for women to get SRH care in other systems. Culturally and linguistically-concordant patient navigators were successful at helping refugee women navigate the healthcare system and addressing language barriers. We discussed implications for future research and practice to improve refugee women's SRH care access and utilization. In particular, our findings underscore multilevel constraints of clinics providing SRH care to refugee women and highlight the importance of transportation services and acceptable interpretation services. While understudied, the use of patient navigators holds potential for increasing refugee women's SRH care access and utilization. Patient navigation can both effectively address language-related challenges for refugee women and help them navigate the healthcare system for SRH. Future research should explore organizational and external factors that can facilitate or hinder the implementation of patient navigators for refugee women's SRH care.

Women's traditional birth attendant utilization at birth and its associated factors in Angolella Tara, Ethiopia.

In developing countries, home delivery without a skilled birth attendant is a common practice. It has been evidenced that unattended birth is linked with serious life-threatening complications for both the women and the newborn. Institutional delivery with a skilled birth assistance could reduce 20-30% of neonatal mortality. This study aimed to assess traditional birth attendants' (TBAs) utilization and associated factors for women who gave birth in the last two years in Angolella Tara District, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 416 women who gave birth in the last two years at rural Angolella Tara District. Study participants were recruited by using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Epi Data 4.6 and SPSS version 25 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with women's utilization of traditional birth attendants. The level of significance in the last model was determined at a p-value of <0.05. Overall, 131 (31.5%) participants were used traditional birth attendants in their recent birth. Unmarried marital status (AOR 2.63; 95% CI: 1.16, 5.97), age at first marriage (AOR 2.31; 95%CI: 1.30, 4.09), time to reach health facility (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.94, 6.17), know danger sign of pregnancy and childbirth (AOR = 5.59, 95% CI; 2.89, 10.81), positive attitude towards traditional birth attendants (AOR = 2.56 95% CI; 1.21,5.52), had antenatal care follow-up (AOR: 0.11 95% CI 0.058, 0.21), and listening radio (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.99) were significantly associated factors with the use of traditional birth attendants. Nearly one-third of women used traditional birth attendant services for their recent birth. TBAs availability and accessibility in the community, and respect for culture and tradition, problems regarding infrastructure, delay or unavailability of ambulance upon call, and some participants knowing only TBAs for birth assistance were reasons for preference of TBAs. Therefore, effort should be made by care providers and policymakers to ensure that modern health care services are accessible for women in a friendly and culturally sensitive manner. In addition, advocacy through mass media about the importance of maternal health service utilization, particularly antenatal care would be important.

Effect of Exercise on the Resting Metabolic Rate and Substrate Utilization in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Results of a Pilot Study.

Regular physical activity during pregnancy has a positive effect on the mother and fetus. However, there is scarce data regarding the effect of exercise in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of the present parallel, non-randomized, open-label, pilot, clinical study was to examine the effect of two exercise programs on the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and substrate utilization in pregnancies complicated by GDM, compared with usual care (advice for the performance of exercise). Forty-three pregnant women diagnosed with GDM between the 24th and 28th gestational week, volunteered to participate. Three groups were formed: Usual care (n = 17), Walking (n = 14), and Mixed Exercise (n = 12). The Usual care group was given advice on maintaining habitual daily activities without any additional exercise. The Walking group exercised regularly by walking, in addition to the habitual daily activities. Finally, the Mixed Exercise group participated in a program combining aerobics and strength exercises. Training intensity was monitored continuously using lightweight, wearable monitoring devices. The Walking and Mixed Exercise groups participated in the training programs after being diagnosed with GDM and maintained them until the last week of gestation. RMR and substrate utilization were analyzed using indirect calorimetry for all participants twice: between 27th and 28th gestational week and as close as possible before delivery. No differences were observed between groups regarding body composition, age, and medical or obstetrical parameters before or after the exercise programs. RMR was increased after the completion of the exercise interventions in both the Walking (p = 0.001) and the Mixed Exercise arms (p = 0.002). In contrast, substrate utilization remained indifferent. In conclusion, regular exercise of moderate intensity (either walking, or a combination of aerobic and strength training) increases RMR in women with GDM compared to the lack of systematic exercise. However, based on the present, pilot data, these exercise regimes do not appear to alter resting substrate utilization.

Breast and cervical cancer screening adherence in Jiangsu, China: An ecological perspective.

BackgroundHigh screening coverage can effectively reduce the mortality in breast and cervical cancer. Further research on extending the coverage of breast and cervical cancer screening in China is required. This study explored factors influencing women's “two-cancer” screening service utilization using an ecological approach.MethodsData were obtained from the National Health Services Survey (NHSS) conducted in 2018 in Jiangsu, China. A total of 3,500 women aged 18–64 years were included in the analysis. Chi-squared test, hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis, and binary logistic regression analysis were performed.ResultsIn total, 44.1% of the women had been screened for breast cancer (BC) and 40.9% for cervical cancer (CC). Breast cancer screening (BCS) and cervical cancer screening (CCS) differed significantly in the following common categories: age, gestational experiences, chronic disease status, body mass index (BMI), exercise, health checkup, marital status, number of children, employment, education, family doctors, and health records. In the results of hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis, the explanatory power of the final model was 37.5% and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.812. The results showed that being in the age group of 35–64 years, having gestational experiences, having chronic diseases, exercising, having a health checkup, being married, having children, and being employed were statistically significant positive predictors of “two-cancer” screening adherence. The household size was a barrier. For BCS, obesity was also a negative factor, and a higher overall self-related health status was a positive factor. Being married and living in households of three or more families were not predictors. For CCS, having health records was also positively significant, while having chronic disease did not influence adherence.ConclusionThe findings provide an ecological explanation for women's BCS and CCS service utilization. Both proximal and distal factors should be considered to achieve a high coverage rate.

Socio-economic factors associated with antenatal care in Nigeria.

There is a dearth of knowledge on how much financial autonomy interacts with affordability and consequently access to ante-natal health care in Nigeria. This study evaluated the relationship between women's financial autonomy and utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services. ANC attendance during pregnancy and the financial autonomy of women aged 15-49 in 42,000 selected households across all 36 states and the FCT, was assessed using data from the 2018 NDHS. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out and significant predictors were tested at a 95% significance level. The proportion of women considered to have no financial, partial and full autonomies were 63.1%, 32.0% and 4.9% respectively. Living in an urban region was a statistically significant predictor of financial autonomy among women and the odds of financial autonomy increased with the level of education and wealth index. Type of residence and occupation type were also significant predictors of ANC utilization. Full financial autonomy to make financial decisions did not significantly improve the odds of antenatal health care services during pregnancy (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.87 - 1.22). Other factors such as education, employment and wealth index of the women were more significantly associated with antenatal care attendance. A call for improved educational facilities and wealth creation schemes at national and sub-national levels of government is necessary to improve ante-natal care utilization in health care facilities.

Male partners' role in maternal health service utilization: a secondary analysis using 2015-16 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data

ObjectiveWhile prior research has documented several socio-demographic and policy level determinants of maternal health service utilization, the influence of partners and family on women's decisions to use maternal health services has received limited attention. This study focuses on the role of male partners in antenatal care, and examines the association between male partner attendance at antenatal care and maternal health service utilization. DesignCross-sectional observational study. SettingIndia. ParticipantsThis study utilized data from the 2015-16 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4). Of all the ever-married women who had at least one live birth in the past five years, a total number of 144,840 respondents were included for the analysis on antenatal care utilization and 146,378 respondents were included for the analysis on institutional delivery. MeasurementsThe key dependent variables used for the study were timing and frequency of antenatal care, and institutional delivery; while the primary independent variable for the study was male partner attendance in antenatal care. Weighted descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to examine the association between male partner attendance in antenatal care and maternal health service utilization, controlling for participants’ sociodemographic characteristics. ResultsControlling for all socio-demographic variables, the results showed that women who were accompanied by a male partner during antenatal care contacts were 18% more likely to report initiating antenatal care in the first trimester (OR= 1.18, 95% CI [1.13- 1.23]), 72% more likely to report having 4 or more antenatal care contacts (OR= 1.72, 95% CI [1.64 - 1.80]), 45% more likely to report having 8 or more antenatal care contacts during their pregnancy (OR= 1.45, CI [1.35 - 1.55]) and 40% more likely to have an institutional delivery (OR= 1.40, 95% CI [1.34 – 1.48). Key conclusionsFew studies have examined the role of partners and family in influencing women's maternal health service utilization. The results of this study add to the growing knowledge base in the area of male partner involvement in maternal care by demonstrating that male partner attendance in antenatal care is positively associated with maternal health service utilization. Implications for practiceThese results provide support for interventions that aim at a gender transformative approach to maternal health. Engaging with male partners and educating them in antenatal care could lead to improved knowledge levels among the couple, and increased support and access to maternal health services.

Information need and resource utilization of pregnant women in University of Calabar

The primary goal of this study was to look into the relationship between pregnant women's information needs and resource utilization at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Calabar, Nigeria. To achieve the study's goal, four null hypotheses were developed to guide the investigation. A literature review was conducted based on the variables under investigation. The study used a survey research design. For the study, two hundred (200) respondents were chosen as samples. The purposive and accidental sampling techniques were used to make the selection. The instrument used for data collection was the “Information Need and Pregnant Women Resource Utilization Questionnaire (INPWRUQ).” The instrument's reliability was estimated using the test-retest reliability method. The statistical analysis techniques used to test the hypotheses under study were Product Moment Correlation Analysis. To a relative degree of freedom, the hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. The analysis revealed that pregnant women's resource utilization is significantly related to their need for health information, nutrition information, delivery information, and breastfeeding information. Based on the findings, it was suggested, among other things, that the government provides libraries and free medical care to encourage women to seek health information.

The Relationship between Perception and Self Efficacy of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) Utilization in Women's Reproductive Ages

Introduction: LARC effectively prevents pregnancy; however, its use is still low. Self-efficacy and perception have an impact on the decision to use LARC. This study aimed to determine the relationship between perception and self-efficacy of LARC utilization in women of reproductive age. Methods: Cross-sectional study design. The population of women of reproductive age couples in the Bungah Health Center area. The research sample was 88 respondents selected by purposive sampling. The study's independent variable is the perceived benefits and perceived barriers, while the dependent variable was the self-efficacy in choosing LARC. The research instrument used a questionnaire. Statistical analysis using the Spearman's rho test with a <0,05 Results: There was a relationship between perceived benefits and selfefficacy in choosing LARC (p = 0.000) with r = 0.684. There is a relationship between the perceived barrier and self-efficacy in choosing LARC (p = 0.000) with a value of r = -0.407. Conculusion: The higher the perceived benefit, the higher self-efficacy in choosing LARC. However, if the perceived barriers are high, self-efficacy in choosing LARC will decrease. Further research needs to be done regarding other people's support factors for the choice of LARC.