Working Conditions and Maternal Health Challenges in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Endemic maternal health has been a major concern in sub-Saharan Africa with Nigeria occupying a position among the countries with the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world. Although there are numerous studies on maternal health, there is no consensus on the implications of urban health conditions on safe motherhood.  This paper, therefore, examines the influence of working conditions on maternal health in the face of poor provision of amenities and infrastructural decay pervading urban centres in sub-Saharan Africa using Nigeria as a case study.  The study specifically investigated the plight of women in Lagos State, Nigeria.  The data for the study were obtained from a survey conducted between 2011 and 2012 using a structured questionnaire and key informant interviews.  Issues relating to working conditions were measured by the nature of work, time for rest, means of transportation, duration and timing of maternity leave, relationship with boss and a host of others.  The data ware analysed using univariate and binary logistic regression analysis. The findings show that socio-environmental conditions including poverty, inefficient transportation system, gender bias, work stress and poor quality of life expose a large proportion of women to morbidities, poor nutrition and repeated pregnancies that can increase maternal mortality in the study area. The paper concludes that adverse working condition is positively related to maternal health complications and this calls for urgent policy intervention to address work related pressures on potential mothers. The authors suggest that employers of labour must develop humane health-friendly policies in the work place that favour maternal well-being before, during and after pregnancy.

Keywords: Working conditions, poverty, stress, maternal health