Determinants of use of Maternal Health Care Services in a Rural Nigerian Community

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess utilization pattern of maternal healthcare services and to identify factors affecting the use of these services in Jesse kingdom of Ethiope West Local Government area in Delta State, South-South, Nigeria. Data used in the study were collected from 263 women randomly selected from 20 villages in the Kingdom and structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the respondents. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical package, all statistical test of significance were at the 5% probability level. Of all the factors examined, only distance from healthcare facility, women’s education and their ages were the strongest determinant of the choice and used of maternal healthcare services in the study area. Strategies and means aimed at improving utilization of healthcare services (especially modern health care) in the area are suggested

Keywords: Determinants, Maternal, Healthcare, Utilization, Rural Community, Jesse and Nigeria