Determinants of maternal utilization of health services and nutritional status in a rural community in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Poor Maternal Health (MH) remains an issue of public health concern in Nigeria. This study identified the determinants of maternal utilization of health services and nutritional status in a rural community in south-west Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional house-hold survey of women aged 15-49 years. Data were analysed using Chi-square, logistic regression and generalized linear models (α=.05). Respondents’ mean age was 29.9±7.8 years and about 9.0% were underweight, 76.7% attended ≥4 ANC visits and 65.7% were provided with ANC by skilled health workers. Sixty-two percent delivered in modern health facility, 67.5% were assisted by skilled health worker and 29.1% sought post-natal care within the first 3 days after delivery. The likelihood of delivery in health facility was 1.48(C.I=1.10-1.99, p<0.05) higher among women in monogamous than those in polygamy family. The estimated maternal mortality ratio was 448 deaths/100,000 live-births. The findings emphasize the need to scale-up MH improvement strategies in the study area. (Afr J Reprod Health 2016; 20[2]: 72-85).

Keywords: Maternal health care; Rural community, Maternal nutritional status