Knowledge and Perception of Women of Reproductive Age on Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State: A Quantitative Approach

Abstract

Even though Maternal health care services utilization is very important for further improvement of maternal health, limited evidence exists on the utilization of Maternal health care services among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. This has resulted into high rate of maternal mortality. Thus, this study aims to assess the knowledge and perception of women of reproductive age on utilization of Maternal health care services in Akure south local government area of Ondo State, south western Nigeria using a qualitative research methodology. Data were primarily sourced from 384 women of child-bearing age who were purposively selected across the communities in Akure south local government area through a multi-purpose sampling technique. Secondary Data were obtained from journals, hospital, records, government’s publications, newspapers, and some internet materials that are relevant to this study. Analyses of Data were carried out with the aids of descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that majority of the respondents have good knowledge but poor perception of the Maternal health care services. Majority of the respondents opined that education and religion contributed to the utilization of Maternal health care services in the local government area. The study further revealed that there is a significant association between respondents knowledge and utilization of Maternal health care services (R= 12.29, p< 0.000). There is also a significant association between respondents religion and the utilization of Maternal health care services ( R = 8.44, P < 0.01). Significant association also exists between the respondent level of education and the use of maternal healthcare service (r =16.20, p< 0.01). But here is no significant association between the perception of the respondent and utilization of maternal healthcare service ( R =10.25, p>0.777) . The study, however, concluded that women of reproductive age in Akure South Local Government area have good knowledge and poor perception maternal healthcare service which utilization is influenced by their education especially in rural communities within the study areas and their religious affiliations. Against this background, the study recommends increased enlightenment among child- bearing women on the importance of maternal healthcare services, subsidization of cost of accessing healthcare services by the governments and NGOs, strengthening the National Health Insurance scheme to incorporate family planning into its benefit package, upgrade of the existing health facilities and establishment of more health centres in rural and semi-urban areas with explosive populations.