DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF MOTHERS AND UTILIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN IKPA IKONO 2 COMMUNITY IN MKPAT ENIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
Abstract
This study examined the Demographic profile of mothers and their utilization of Healthcare services in Ikpa Ikono 2 community in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. Six research questions were raised to guide the study. The population of the study comprised all women of child bearing age in the community totaling 15,720. Purposive sampling technique was used to gather the profile of mothers attending the two health facilities using a record checking proforma. The sample stood at 147. Simple percentage was used to answer the research questions. The findings of the study revealed that women in the age group between 15-25 years utilized healthcare services more than other age groups. It was also revealed that women who attended secondary school utilizes health services most. Married women utilized health services more than the singles or the widowed. Findings also revealed that women who were pregnant with their second babies utilized healthcare more. Another finding indicated that civil servants had higher rate of healthcare utilization. It was recommended that education of the community members on the need for utilization of healthcare services be carried out women and girls should be encouraged to go to school and more incentives should be provided to encourage more patronage by the women among others.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Maternal health has emerged as global priority. The World Health Organization (WHO) (2008) referred to maternal health as the health of the women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Maternal and child healthcare services is one of the components of primary Health Care which is concerned with early ante natal clinic, health education, delivery and postnatal care which also include care of the new born as well (Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH, 1996). The purpose of health services is to improve the health status of the populations through treatment of diseases, prevention of illness and promotion of health.
In rich nations where women have access to basic health care, giving birth is a positive and fulfilling experience, while on the other hand, for many women in poor countries, it is associated with suffering ill health and even death. Most poor health outcomes among reproductive women concerns with the non-use of modern maternal health care services such as antenatal care, delivery care and post natal care. WHO (2001) noted that lack of access and utilization of these essential obstetric services contribute to high maternal death rate.Therefore utilization of health care services can be seen as the quantity of services that is consumed when a patient demand is translated into health seeking behaviour.
WHO (1981) stated that utilization of services or actual coverage is expressed as the proportion of people in need of a service who actually receive it in a given period, usually a year. Utilization give some indication of the care needed by a population and therefore the health status of the population. In other words, a relationship exists between utilization of healthcare services and health need and status. This can be viewed as a type of individual behaviour which is a function of characteristics of the environment in which he lives and or some interactions of these individuals and societal factors (Moor, 1969).
Ahanobi and Ewuzie (2000) saw health care service utilization behaviour as that of someone in the use or non use of provided healthcare services to become and remain free of disease and illness. Thus utilization of maternal health service is one of the important factors to reduce the incidence of maternal mortality.
In many countries utilization of health care services by women differ greatly. In the developed nations of the world, women have been found to make effective use of health care services provided by the government, agencies and individuals. However, in developing nations, the situation is different. Evidence abound that there is under utilization of available services by women in the developing countries inpite of the effort by government and other agencies in providing these services (Ondimu, 2001; Ndifon & Asuquo, 2004). In Nigeria, studies conducted around the country revealed under utilization of maternal health services (Essien, 2002; Izugbara & Ukwaji, 2003; and Nwakoby, 2004).
Poor health outcomes among reproductive women concerns with the non use of modern maternal health care services such as ante-natal care delivery care are post natal care. According to Abou Zahr and Wardlaw (2004),antenatal care provides the opportunity for complications to be detected and gives women advice on the management of complications. It is an essential safety net for healthy motherhood and childbirth where the well being of both the prospective mother and her offspring can be monitored (2004).
In the area of maternity care, many women who received antenatal care are relatively high, but utilization of delivery services at modern health care facility is still low. Vas-Lerberghe and De-Brouware (2001) noted that a professional delivery care, such as assistance by a skilled health worker (doctor, nurse or midwife) at delivery is key to reduce maternal mortality. Use of health facility for delivery is still very low. It is reported that only 47% of deliveries occur in the health facilities and the remaining more than half deliver at home assisted by unskilled attendants (National Bureau of Statistics, 2005).
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF MOTHERS AND UTILIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN IKPA IKONO 2 COMMUNITY IN MKPAT ENIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
