10 Factors Affecting Utilization of Maternal Health Services in Nigeria

Factors Affecting Utilization of Maternal Health Services in Nigeria – The use of maternal health care in Nigeria can be influenced by a variety of variables. Poverty, a lack of education, restricted access to healthcare, cultural and traditional beliefs, and poor infrastructure are a few of the most important. Women may find it challenging to get the treatments they require to have a successful pregnancy and delivery due to these concerns.Information Guide Nigeria

Additionally, there can be a lack of information regarding the significance of maternal health care as well as how to acquire them. These problems might all play a role in Nigeria’s poor usage of maternal health care, which could have negative health effects on both mothers and their unborn children.

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Definition of Health Services

The term “health services” describes the many medical and therapeutic services offered to people and communities in order to preserve and develop their physical, mental, and social well-being. These services might consist of general medical treatment, hospital care, therapy, mental health care, preventative care, and public health initiatives. The provision of health services can take place in a variety of locations, including hospitals, clinics, and community health centers, and is normally carried out by qualified professionals such as physicians, nurses, and other healthcare practitioners.Factors Affecting Utilization of Maternal Health Services

Definition of Maternal Health Services

Healthcare given to women before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth is referred to as maternal health services. These services might include family planning, counseling, and education on mother and child health, as well as prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care. Maternal health services aim to protect the mother’s and her unborn child’s health and wellbeing.Factors Affecting Utilization of Maternal Health Services

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How Maternal services work

The goal of maternal health services is to protect the health and wellbeing of expectant mothers, their fetuses, and recently delivered moms. Prenatal care, care during labor and delivery, postpartum care, and assistance with any difficulties that can develop during pregnancy or delivery are just a few of the services that may be provided. Regular check-ups, screenings, and tests as part of prenatal care may be used to keep track of the mother’s health and the fetus’s growth.

Obstetricians, midwives, and nurses are among the medical experts who give care and assistance to help guarantee a safe delivery throughout labor and delivery. Following birth, postpartum care may involve examinations, tests, and assistance for the mother and child, such as help with nursing and suggestions for taking care of a newborn. Additionally, family planning and reproductive health education and counseling may be provided as part of maternal health care.15 Best Industries in Nigeria

Advantages of Maternal Health Services

The following are the advantages of maternal health Services

1. Better outcomes for the mother and the fetus: Maternal health services assist in ensuring that pregnant women receive the right medical treatment, which can result in better results for both the mother and the fetus.
2. Reduced maternal mortality: In many regions of the world, maternal health care can contribute to a reduction in the number of deaths brought on by pregnancy and delivery.
3. Better access to family planning services: Access to family planning services is frequently included in maternal health care, which can assist women in making decisions about their reproductive health.
4. Increased detection and management of complications: Maternal health services can assist in the identification and treatment of any complications that may develop during pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and hypertension, thereby reducing the risk of more serious health problems.
5. Promotion of healthy habits: Maternal health services may assist in promoting healthy behaviors for expectant women, such as good diet, consistent exercise, and stress management, which can enhance both the mother’s and the baby’s general health.20 Best Gas Cookers Pictures and their Prices in Nigeria
6. Maternal mental health: Maternal mental health is supported through maternity care services, which is important for both the mother’s and the unborn child’s welfare.
7. Cost-effective: Providing maternal health care can save money over time by helping to avoid significant health problems that could be expensive to address for both the mother and the child.

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Factors Affecting utilization of maternal health services in Nigeria

1. Socioeconomic status:

Women from poorer socioeconomic origins might not have as easy access to healthcare services and might be less inclined to use maternal health services.NYSC Portal

2. Education:

Pregnant women who have received more education are more likely to seek maternal health services and experience healthier deliveries.

3. Geography:

Women in rural regions may have trouble receiving care and may have restricted access to maternity health services.

4. Religion and culture:

A woman’s decision to utilize maternal health services and the kinds of services she is willing to use may be influenced by her religious and cultural views.JAMB Portal

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5. Provider prejudice:

Discrimination or bias on the part of healthcare professionals might deter women from using their services for maternal health.

6. Facility readiness:

A woman’s decision to use maternal health services might be influenced by their availability and level of quality.

7. Cost:

Some women, especially those from low-income families, may find the price of maternal health treatments to be a barrier. Aside from the actual cost of the services, because most of these women live in areas that are very far from where the health facilities are, they do not have enough money to transport themselves to where they can get adequate maternal health services.JAMB Result

8. Social Support:

Women are more likely to seek out maternal health care if they have a strong social support network.

9. Knowledge and awareness:

Women may choose not to use maternal health services if they do not have any idea about how it works and salient facts about the provisions of the services.

10. Political stability:

Political unrest or violence can hinder access to care for expectant mothers and have a detrimental effect on their prognosis.

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Conclusion:

In conclusion, a number of variables, such as socioeconomic level, education, region, religion, and culture, as well as provider bias, facility preparedness, cost, social support, information and awareness, and political stability, might influence the use of maternal health care in Nigeria. In order to improve maternal health outcomes in Nigeria, it is imperative to address these issues since they can interact and have a big influence on a woman’s decision to use maternal health care.

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