UTILIZATION OF MATERNAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND MATERNAL MORTALITY AMONG WOMEN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA
Mamman Matthew Samuel, Godswill James and Amos Akpokos James
Volume 4 Issue 1
Abstract
Globally, maternal health has been an issue of concern to public health practitioners, sociologists, demographers and health service providers. This is because of the enormous contribution towards the overall health and well-being of women within the reproductive health. The study examined the utilization of maternal healthcare services and maternal mortality among women in rural communities of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was adopted to select Local Government Areas, electoral wards, villages/communities, houses, household and individual/ women of childbearing age. The methods of data collection utilized for the study was questionnaire and indepth interview (IDI). The questionnaires were analyzed quantitatively using tables, frequency, percentage and data generated through in-depth interview (IDI) were analyzed to complement and support the quantitative analysis using content analysis and verbal narration. The results show that utilization of maternal healthcare services has impact on maternal mortality among women in rural communities of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. It is based on this that the study recommends that entrenchment of social security for pregnant women especially rural women is quite essential for the improvement in maternal healthcare. Similarly, there is need for interventions such as health education and community mobilization that aims to educate rural women on risk factors and danger signs associated with poor maternal health outcomes should be carried out in this area. Such can be done through the use of religious and community leaders; this would help promote awareness especially among women in rural communities. Keywords: Utilization, Maternal Healthcare, Maternal Mortality, Women, Rural Communities
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