Maternal Health Care Seeking Behaviour and Pregnancy Outcome in Udi and Abia Communities Enugu State

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the maternal health care seeking behaviour and pregnancy outcome of pregnant women in two rural communities in Enugu State. The objectives of study were to: (i) determine the gestational age at which pregnant women book for Antenatal Care(ANC) in Udi and Abiacommunities, (ii)determine how often pregnant women attend Antenatal Care(ANC)during the third trimester, (iii) ascertain the facilities utilized by pregnant women with complications for care and (iv) ascertain their pregnancy outcome. Cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. A sample size of 207 respondents was drawn from a population of 586 pregnant women. The instrument for data collection was the researcherdeveloped questionnaire that was used as an interview guide. Observation guide was also used to corroborate the findings of the questionnaire. The design of the study was descriptive crosssectional survey. Convenience sampling was used to select a sample size of 207 respondents from a population of 586 pregnant women. Collected data wereanalysed using descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages. Chi-square was used to test for significant association atsignificancelevel of 0.05. Major findings show that most of the respondents (79.7%) booked for ANC during the first trimester. On frequency of ANC during the third trimester, 81.1% maintained weekly attendance while 100% of the respondents with complications accessed care from health facilities especially the general hospital under skilled healthcare providers. On pregnancy outcome, 84.5% of the babies cried vigorously at birth and 0.5% did not cry at all. On maternal delivery outcome, 83.1% were strong to take care of self and baby after delivery. There was no significant association (p > 0.05) between the respondents’ demographic variables (age and educational status) and their healthcare seeking behaviour. There was no significant association (p > 0.05) between maternal healthcare seeking behaviour and mothers’ delivery outcome (women that were strong to take care of self and baby and those that were weak to take care of self and baby after delivery). There was significant association (p < 0.05) between maternal healthcare seeking behaviour and babies’ birth outcome (number of babies that cried vigorously at birth and those that did not cry at all).

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page i

Approval ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgment v

Table of content vi

List of Appendix vii

List of Tables viii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background to the study 1

Statement of problem 3

Purpose of the study 4

Research objective 4

Research hypothesis 4

Significance of the study 5

Scope of the study 5

Operational definition of terms 6

CHAPTER TWO: LITERAURE REVIEW

Conceptual review 7

Concept of maternal health care 7

Concept of pregnancy and childbirth 7

Concept of maternal health care seeking behaviour 10

Factors influencingmaternal health care seeking behaviour 11

vii

Factors influencing pregnancy outcome 15

Theoretical review 16

Theoryof planned behaviour 16

Empirical review 19

Summary of literature review 24

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS

Research design 26

Area of study 26

Population of the study 27

Sample size 27

Inclusion criteria 27

Sampling procedure 27

Instrument for data collection 27

Validity of instrument 28

Reliability of instrument 28

Ethical consideration 28

Procedure for data collection 28

Method of data analysis 29

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF RESULT 30

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

Discussion of major findings 35

Summary of the study 39

Conclusion 40

Implication of the study 41

Recommendations 41

viii

Limitations to the study 42

Suggestion for further study 42

REFERENCES 43

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Reliability test result47

Appendix 2: Questionnaire 48

Appendix 3: Igbo version of the Questionnaire Translated 51

Appendix 4:Observation guide54

Appendix5: Ethical clearance 55

Appendix 6: Permission letter from traditional ruler ofUdi 56

Appendix7:Permission letter from traditional ruler of Abia 57

Appendix8:Permission letter from Chairman Udi L.G.A. 58