ACCESS TO MATERNAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES AMONG RURAL PREGNANT WOMEN IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The health of rural pregnant women is very important because, it will enable them to go safely through pregnancy and child birth and provide couples with the best chance of having healthy infants. However, in many cases, rural pregnant women are faced with the challenges of utilizing maternal health care services, they instead adopt certain strategies to cope with these challenges.   This study examined the coping strategies and utilization of maternal healthcare services among rural pregnant women in Benue State, Nigeria. A total of 348 respondents were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with the use of Focus Group Discussion  and Key Informant instruments and analyzed using content analysis. Findings from the study revealed that; the factors affecting the utilization of maternal health care services in the area were; poverty, level of education, socio-economic status, availability and accessibility of the care, cultural and religious beliefs, quality of care among others, the effects of the non utilization of maternal health care on the health of women were; maternal mortality, pregnancy complications, lower productivity among others.  The study concluded that, the programmes that are targeted towards improving access and utilization of maternal healthcare services especially for women with low level of education and those that come from a very low economic background will be of high benefits to women in Nigeria particularly in Benue State and the society in general. The study recommends mass education of women, provision of affordable and accessible maternal health care services, elaborate poverty reduction programmes,  reducing cost of care among others could enhance the usage of maternal health care services in Benue State.