Utilization of Antenatal care and Delivery services in Sagamu, South Western Nigeria

A survey of 392 women who had carried at least one pregnancy to term in Sagamu, South-Western Nigeria was conducted to determine the pattern of use of maternity services and assess factors that mayinfluence the observed pattern. Majority of the women received antenatal care (84.6%) during their last pregnancy. Four-fifth of those who received ANC first attended the clinic during the second trimester(79.6%). The places of delivery were government facilities (54.8%), private hospital (24.5%), traditional birth attendants (13.5%) and spiritual healing homes (5.6%). Higher educational status and higher level of income positively affected the pattern of use of these services (

Utilization of Antenatal Care and Delivery Services in Sagamu, SouthWestern Nigeria

Objective:We conducted a community based study in South Western Nigeria to determine the pattern of use of maternity services by women in a sub-urban population and assessed some factors that may influence the observed pattern among the women.Methods: A multi-staged sampling technique was used to choose 392 women who had carried at least one pregnancy to term and information was collected from them.Results: Majority of the women received antenatal care (84.6%) during their last pregnancy while 11.2% used other sources such as traditional herbal and spiritual healing homes. Majority of those who received ANC first attended the clinic during the second trimester (79.6%). Theplaces of delivery were government facilities (54.8%), private hospital (24.5%), traditional birth attendants (13.5%) and spiritual healing homes (5.6%). Higher educational status and higher level of income positively affected the pattern of use of these services (p<0.05). Perceivedquality of service at the facility was the most important factor which influenced the choice of facility for obstetric care. A considerable proportion of those who used traditional birth attendants (36.1%) used it to satisfy their husbands. Of the women who did not use government facilities for delivery, long waiting time (29.4%), poor attitude of the staff (11.3%)and cost of care (11.3%) were the major reasons given, 31.6% gave no reason.Conclusion: Community education, improving the socioeconomic status of women, the quality of care at government facilities and making maternity care available at none or minimal cost at public health institutions will encourage women to use the available maternity services

Utilisation des services prénatals et d’accouchements à Sagamu, au sud-ouest du Nigéria

A survey of 392 women who had carried at least one pregnancy to term in Sagamu, South-Western Nigeria was conducted to determine the pattern of use of maternity services and assess factors that may influence the observed pattern. Majority of the women received antenatal care (84.6%) during their last pregnancy. Four-fifth of those who received ANC first attended the clinic during the second trimester (79.6%). The places of delivery were government facilities (54.8%), private hospital (24.5%), traditional birth attendants (13.5%) and spiritual healing homes (5.6%). Higher educational status and higher level of income positively affected the pattern of use of these services (p<0.05). Perceived quality of service was the most important factor which influenced the choice of facility for obstetric care. A considerable proportion of those who used traditional birth attendants (36.1%) used it to please their husbands. Our findings suggest that improving the socioeconomic status of men and women in the community is a key factor to improving utilization of maternity care services (Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13[3]:111-122).Une enquête sur 392 femmes qui ont eu au moins un accouchement à terme à Sagamu au sud-ouest du Nigéria a été menée. Ceci pour déterminer la tendance de l’utilisation des services de gynécologieobstétrique et pour évaluer les tendances observées. La plupart des femmes ont obtenu des soins prénatals (84,6%) pendant leur grossesse. 4/5 de celles qui ont obtenu les soins prénatals se sont présentées à la Clinique pour la première fois au cours du second trimestre (79,6%). Les lieux d’accouchement étaient des établissements gouvernementaux (54,8%), les hôpitaux privés (24,5%), chez les sages-femmes traditionnelles (13,5%) et dans les maisons de guérison spirituelle (5,6%). L’utilisation de ces services est influencée positivement par le niveau supérieur de l’instruction acquise et un niveau élevé de revenu (p<0,05). La qualité perçue du service était le facteur le plus important qui a influencé le choix de l’établissement pour les soins obstétriques. Une proportion considérable de celles qui se sont servies des sages-femmes traditionnelles (36,1%) le faisant pour faire plaisir à leurs maris. Notre étude a montré que si la situation socio-économique des hommes et des femmes dans la communauté est améliorée, cela sera un facteur clé pour l’utilisation des services des soins gynécologie-obstétrique (Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13[3]:111-122)