The extent of utilization of maternal and child healthcare services is the proximate factor behind the high rate of maternal and child morbidity and mortality. The high rate of maternal and child morbidity and mortality has become a serious challenge to the global public health especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Hence, this study assessed, the utilization of maternal and child health care services among child bearing mothers in Dekina Local Government Area. A descriptive cross-sectional design is adopted and through multistage sampling technique, a total number of 400 respondents were selected. Data was collected using a self-structured questionnaire with a Cronbach Alpha of 0.77. Analysis is done with the aid SPSS and presented in tables, frequencies and percentages. The result of this study revealed that the utilization of antennal and immunization services by the respondents is high. Further results of this study showed that the utilization of delivery services is high but low compared to utilization of ANC and postnatal services is low. The result observed that the following factors affect utilization of maternal and child health services: availability of health personnel (59.8%), nearness to health facility (85.2%), attitude of health workers (88.8%), availability of services materials (63.0%), free medical services (94.0%), lack of money (94.8%), nonavailability of child health services (60.5%) and nonavailability of drugs in the facility (56.8%). It is recommended that, health education and campaign on adequate utilization of MCH should be conducted by health educators and other health professionals regularly at the health centers. Government should ensure that all primary health centers should be made functional by making sure that they are well supplied with adequate drugs and equipment.
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- Morbidity, Mortality, Delivery Services.
- UTILIZATION OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE SERVICES AMONG CHILD BEARING MOTHERS IN DEKINA LOCAL
