KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND UTILIZATION OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE AMONG WOMEN IN OGBOMOSHO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Maternal and child health (MCH) care is an
important public health issue because it provides
the opportunity to end preventable deaths among
all women, children and adolescents and to
greatly improve their health and wellbeing. This
study examined the knowledge, perception and
utilization of maternal and child health care,
among 256 reproductive age women in
Ogbomoso, Oyo State. This was a cross-sectional
descriptive design was used for this study.
Quantitative data collection was done using a
semi structured questionnaire. The questionnaire
contained closed ended questions. Data were
collected and analysed using statistical package
for social science (SPSS) software package,
version 21.0 presented in descriptive statistics e.g.
frequencies, tables and percentages. Results
showed the demographic characteristics of the
respondents observed that majority (93.2%) were
married, Christians were (65.7%) and (56.5%)
had at least two children. Findings also revealed
that 21.9% of the respondent’s last children were 9
months of age, those delivered at the PHC were
29.4%, artisan were 42.3% and 78.1% were
Yoruba by tribe. Considering the respondents’
knowledge about maternal and child health care,
66% had good knowledge. The respondents’
perception showed that 46% had negative
perception about maternal and child health care.
Overall, 84.9% had good utilization score.
Signicant association was found between
respondents’ level of education and knowledge of
maternal and child health (P = 0.020), there was
also a signicant association found between
respondents’ parity and utilization of maternal
and child health care service (0.045). This study
showed that majority of the respondents had good
knowledge, positive perception and good
utilization of maternal and child health care.
However, to achieve better results, improvement
in access to formal education for women and
focused health education to increase knowledge
are essential.

• Author details: ABIODUN | FUNMILAYO | LAYENI | :funmiyeni99@gmail.com | 09050000273, BROWN | VICTORIA | BOLANLE | vicbrown2010@gmail.com | 08037272857
• Keywords: Knowledge; Perception; Utilization; Healthcare; Mothers
• Manuscript: KNOWLEDGE PERCEPTION AND UTILIZATION OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE