Olaitan, Titilayo, Ifeoma P. Okafor, Adebayo T. Onajole et al., “Ending Preventable Maternal and Child Deaths in Western Nigeria: Do Women Utilize the Life Lines?,” PLOS One 12, no.5 (May 2017), doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0176195

URL: journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0176195

Abstract

Introduction: Nigeria which constitutes just one percent of the world population, accounts for 13% of the world maternal and under-five mortality. Utilization of health care services has been an important determinant of maternal and child outcomes. The vast majority of maternal and child deaths could be prevented if women utilize the available life lines. The study objective was to determine utilization of maternal and child health care services among women of child bearing age in Western Nigeria.

Methods: A community based, cross sectional study was done in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area among women of child bearing age (15-49 years) with at least one child under five years. Multistage sampling was used to select 371 respondents. Data was collected with a structured, pretested, interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed with Epi info 3.5.1. Summary and inferential statistics were done. Level of significance was set at 5%(p<0.05).

Results: Of the 371 respondents interviewed, the health facility was used for antenatal care (74.3% n = 276), delivery (59.9% n = 222), postnatal services (77.9% n = 289), family planning services (28.8% n = 107), immunization (95.1% n = 353), growth monitoring (77.4% n = 287), nutritional services (64.7% n = 240) and treatment of childhood illness (49.6% n = 184). Only 31.5% (n = 117) of the respondents practiced exclusive breastfeeding and 82% (n = 263) of the mothers used oral rehydration solution for diarrhoea management. Maternal education significantly influenced utilization. In addition maternal age, employment status, number of children, spouse employment and educational status played significant roles.

Conclusion: Utilization of maternal and child health services among respondents was above national average but not optimal, especially family planning services, exclusive breastfeeding, and curative services for children.  Interventions that improve maternal educational status and wealth creation should be undertaken to achieve the SDGs.

A great amount of medical literature focuses on the importance of access to healthcare facilities that provide quality care to combat maternal mortality. Olaitan et al. (2017) demonstrate that while this is a great need, it is redundant if women do not utilize the services available. Usage is a complex phenomenon related to availability, quality, cost of services, social structure, health belief and characteristics of the users.  When women have access to maternal and child health services they are not utilizing, steps must be taken to remove the real and perceived barriers these women encounter.