Socio-Cultural Factors Influencing The Non-Use Of Maternal Health Services In Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study examines the socio-cultural factors associated with the non-use of maternal

health care services in Nigeria. In addition, to assess the perception women on health care

utilisation during pregnancy and childbirth in Nigeria. Maternal health is one of the major

concerns of the global health community. Pregnancy related mortality is avoidable if preventive

measures are tal,en and adequate care is available. The study was carried out as a result of the

high rate of maternal death despite the available maternal health care facilities in Nigeria. Three

objectives were considered which were to: examine the level of non-use of maternal health care

service (ANC & PNC) in Nigeria, to examine the socio cultural factors influencing the non-use

of maternal health care services (ANC & PNC) in Nigeria and how women perceive health care

utilization during pregnancy and child birth in Nigeria. The study adopted both quantitative and

qualitative research method. The quantitative data was extracted from 2013 Nigeria

Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) and data were analysed at four levels using STATA.

In-depth interview was adopted to generate qualitative data from women age 15-49 who had at

least a child studies were analysed. The descriptive variables includes ethnicity, female

autonomy, religion, age, level of education, marital status, age at first birth and number of

children ever born. The study revealed that majority of the respondents was Hausa 34.33%, Igbo

(14.41%) and Yoruba (14.15%). Decision about family health care is usually made by the

husband in whom 35.42% of women do influence decision their family health care while 64.58%

of respondents participate on decision about family health care. Also, 46.82% are Christian,

52.23% practice Islamic religion while 0.95% is traditionalists. In addition, 37.98% had no

education while 17.22% and 35.69% had primary and secondary education respectively. The

study revealed that 71.08% are married, 24.33% are single and 4.58% are either separated or

divorced. Furthermore, the socio-cultural variables such as ethnicity, female autonomy and

religion have strong relationship (x2=0.000) with the non-use of antenatal maternal health care.

Therefore this study concluded that socio-cultural factors such as ethnicity, female autonomy and

religion has great impact on improving maternal health and increasing negative health conditions

of maternal morbidity and mortality. However, it is recommended that government should

address many commonly held attitudes and behaviours, like gender roles and other cultural

beliefs that are inimical to health are cultural issues, which can be achieved through communitybased

programmes. Health promotion and advancement education as a primary prevention

approach will create opportunity for easier communication, dealing with the dynamics of

knowledge, power and decision making process in the family, as part of the effort to ensuring good health during pregnancy.