MATERNAL HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL IKERE AND COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CENTER OKE-YINMI, ADO EKITI EKITI STATE

Authors

  • Risikat Idowu FADARE
  • Omosalewa Oluwaseyifunmi AJAYI
  • Tolulope Funmilola OJO

Abstract

Maternal mortality is a fundamental key factor of population health and of social and economic advancement. World Health Organization estimated that about 800 women die every day from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Maternal health is women's health during pregnancy, labor and the post pregnancy time frame which can be influenced by health seeking

 Health seeking behavior refers to efforts put in place by an individual to detect and prevent diseases in order to obtain relief and adequate remedy from such ailment. However, pregnancy remains one of the major events in the existence of every woman and it is likewise a unique cycle in which a woman’s danger status can possibly change at any time.

Aim. To determine the factors/barriers that influences the choice of maternal health care.

Setting. Ekiti State, Southwest, Nigeria.

Method. The study adopted a qualitative research method; simple random technique was used to select 30 participants from ante natal clinic in State Specialist Hospital Ikere Ekiti and Comprehensive Health Center Oke-iyinmi.

Data collection methods was self-report, using an audio-taped, semi-structured in-depth interview of pregnant women at Comprehensive Health Center Okeiyinmi and State Specialist Hospital Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti state.

Result. Analysis shows that 70% respondent chose the facility due to its nearness, 80% says skills provided there is the reason for choosing there, while 20% chose theirs due to husband’s choice. In view of the findings from this study, it was established that factors influencing maternal healthcare seeking behavior includes doctors not being responsive, husband restriction, hesitation, income level and level of education.

Conclusion. Mothers should be encouraged to maximize the use of the free maternal and child health care services provided by the state government. Registered midwives should be encouraged to be entrepreneurial in nature right from the training period so as to establish maternity homes close to the women in the communities in order to fill the gap currently occupied by Traditional Birth Attendance.

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Published

2021-06-18