Factors Affecting the Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Services in Urban Primary Health Care Centers in Enugu State (Abakpa and Uwani)'

Abstract

10.18103/mra.v12i1.5064 Background/Aim: Poor Maternal and Child Health service indicators have been a recurring Public Health challenge in Nigeria since the documentation of National Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (NMNCH) statistics began in the early 1990s. This study was aimed at identifying the factors that affect the utilization of Maternal and Child Health services among women of childbearing age attending urban Primary Health Care centers in Enugu State (Abakpa and Uwani). Methodology: This was a retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional study and data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. 296 respondents participated and analysis of data was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The findings revealed that the number of deliveries in the health centers was highest in 2018 with a total of 378 deliveries compared to 2016 & 2017 with 280 and 254 deliveries respectively. The total number of under 5 children receiving yellow fever/ measles vaccine in the health center increased throughout the years with a total of 1493 vaccinations in 2016, 1510 in 2017, and 2083 in 2018. Results: It was also observed that the main factors that enhanced Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services in the health centers were decreased maternal age, maternal educational status, affordability of services rendered, good attitude of health workers, and the proximity of both health centers to the homes of the respondents. On the other hand, increased maternal age, poor maternal education, high parity, and long waiting hours experienced by the patients were the major factors hindering the utilization of services rendered in the health centers. Conclusion: To improve utilization of MCH services as identified by the women include; advocacy and sensitization campaigns, community dialogue, and upgrading of the existing health care centers.