Influence of women education on maternal health of nursing mothers in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State

Abstract

This study examined the influence of women education on maternal health care among mothers in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The descriptive survey design was adopted. 356 respondents were drawn from among 1782 population of registered nursing mothers across selected health institutions in Yenegoa Local Government Area to constitute the sample for the study. Instrument for data collection was a researcher-made questionnaire titled “Women Education and Maternal Health Care Questionnaire (WEMHCQ)”. The instrument was validated by two Senior Lecturers from Faculty of Education and Nursing of the Niger Delta University with reliability of 0.80 index. Data were analyzed using statistical mean. 2.50 was used as a basis for decision making. Results indicate that women education assist mothers to participate in antenatal care services, observe medication during the period of pregnancy, patronize qualified medical personnel, make use of exercises and also assist mothers to observe good diet during the period of their maternity. Based on the findings, it recommended that more awareness should be created about the need for women education as a means of promoting maternal health behaviour among mothers and the curriculum on women education should be reviewed to incorporate relevant aspects of maternal healthcare for effective service delivery.

Keywords: Women Education, Maternal Health, Exercise, Diet, Drugs, Nursing Mothers