HEALTH CARE SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF WOMEN DURING PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY IN NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Good antenatal care and delivery services are pivotal towards effective reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality. Although studies have been reported concerning the health seeking behaviour of women during pregnancy, literature is virtually devoid of such information in respect of pregnant women in Nnewi, South East Nigeria. This study was a descriptive survey of childbearing women in Nnewi, Anambra State, South East Nigeria to assess their health care seeking behaviour during antenatal and delivery. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 420 women of childbearing age. Using interviewer administered questionnaire, data generated were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in tables and charts. Findings reveal that 58.1% were aged between 25 and 34; 53.8% had secondary education; majority (89.0%) were married; 26.9% fell under poorest socio-economic status (SES) group compared to 24.3% that fell under the least poor SES group; higher proportion (61.4%) attended antenatal clinic 6 times and above; mean gestational age for first antenatal visit was 4^{th month}; greatest proportion of the respondents (44.8%) sought antenatal and delivery care in private hospitals. Age, marital status, level of education and socio-economic status were found to have significant relationships with respondents’ antenatal clinic attendance: respondents aged 25 -34 years were most likely to go for antenatal clinic (P = 0.009); married respondents were most likely to attend antenatal clinic (P = 0.000); respondents with tertiary education were most likely to attend antenatal clinic (P = 0.000); the least poor group of SES (P = 0.003) attended antenatal clinic most.  Similarly, levels of education, SES and age have significant relationship with respondents’ choice of facilities: respondents with tertiary education were most likely to utilize teaching hospital (P = 0.014); those with only secondary education were most likely to utilize PHC (P = 0.019) and those with no formal education were most likely to utilize maternity homes; similarly respondents under the poorest group were most likely to utilize PHC (P= 0.000) while the least poor group were most likely to utilize teaching hospital (P= 0.000) and private hospital (P = 0.048).The middle age (25 – 34 years) childbearing women were most likely to deliver in teaching hospital (P = 0.001) while younger childbearing women (15 -24 years) were most likely to deliver in primary health centre (P = 0.002).  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                                                                                                        i          

Approval page                                                                                                 ii         

Certification page                                                                                           iii        

Dedication                                                                                                      iv        

Acknowledgement                                                                                          v         

Abstract                                                                                                          vi        

Table of Contents                                                                                           vii       

List of Tables                                                                                                  ix

List of Figures                                                                                                 x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study                                                                               1         

Statement of Problem                                                                                     3         

Purpose of the Study                                                                                      4         

Specific Objective                                                                                           4

Research Questions                                                                                         5         

Significance of the Study                                                                               5         

Scope of the Study                                                                                         6         

Operational Definition of Terms                                                                     6         

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

Conceptual Review                                                                                         7         

Categories of Health Care Provision in Rural Community                8         

Theoretical Framework                                                                                   15       

Empirical Studies                                                                                            18       

Summary                                                                                                         22       

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS

Research Design                                                                                             23       

Area of Study                                                                                                 23       

Target Population                                                                                            24       

 Sample Size                                                                                                    25       

Sampling Technique                                                                                        26       

Instrument for Data Collection                                                                       26       

Validation of Instrument                                                                                26       

Reliability of Instrument                                                                                 27       

Ethical Considerations                                                                                    27       

Procedure for Data Collection                                                                        28       

Method of data analysis                                                                                 29       

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

Summary of major findings                                                                            47

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

Discussion of the Findings                                                                             48       

Research Question One                                                                                  48       

 Research Question Two                                                                                 49       

 Research Question Three                                                                               50

Implication of the Study                                                                                 55

Limitations of the Study                                                                                 55       

Conclusion                                                                                                      56       

Recommendations                                                                                          56

Suggestion for Further Studies                                                                       57

Summary                                                                                                         57       

Reference                                                                                                        59

Appendix I                                                                                                      65       

Appendix ii                                                                                                     66       

Appendix iii                                                                                                    69       

Appendix iv                                                                                                    70       

Appendix v                                                                                                     70       

LIST OF TABLES

Table1: Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents               31                        

Table 2: Respondents’ Socio-Economic Status                                              32       

Table 3:  Respondents health care seeking during delivery                36       

Table 4:  A cross tabulation of Demographic characteristics in their SES      37       

Table 5: Cross tabulation of the influence of age on respondents’ antenatal seeking behaviour using chi-square                                  38       

Table 6: Cross tabulation of age of the respondents and their health seeking for delivery services.                                                              39       

Table 7: Respondents’ marital