AWARENESS AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION FOR MATERNAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES DELIVERY AMONG WOMEN IN KATSINA STATE

ABSTRACT

This study investigated awareness and access of information for maternal health care service delivery in Katsina State. Five research questions were formulated and answered. Survey research method was used for this study. The population of the study consisted of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the 22 General Hospital across 34 local governments areas in Katsina State. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of nine General Hospitals with a total of 1,920 registered pregnant women. A questionnaire and focus group was used to collect data for this study. The data collected were presented and analyzed using frequency distribution tables, percentages and histograms. It was also discovered that friends, spouse, radio and relatives were the type of media used for creating awareness with information on maternal health care in Katsina State. This study concluded that access of information on maternal health care service delivery among pregnant women in Katsina State. The researchers conclusively, suggest that community radio and local information centers should be established to disseminate information on maternal health care in the language of the immediate environment. Seminars and meetings should be organized for the pregnant women to educate them on available safety measures to be taken concerning their pregnancies. Hospital libraries should champion the crusade for informing and educating pregnant women attending antenatal clinics via posters, pamphlets, hand bills and oral presentation.