Knowledge and Perceptions of Maternal Health in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria
), Babayo Tukur(2), Hadiza Idris(3), Farouk Adiri(4), Kelly D. Taylor(5),
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(2)
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Corresponding Author
Abstract
This cross-sectional descriptive study explored knowledge and perceptions of maternal health and awareness of health services among women and men of reproductive age in rural communities in Zaria, Kaduna state Nigeria. Among the sample of 647 respondents, 72.6% of men and only 35.9% of women had received formal education. Knowledge of maternal health was very low. In a three point scale (poor, fair, good), only 3.1% of men and 1.2% of women had good knowledge of maternal health. The association between the respondents‟ educational level and their maternal health knowledge was statistically significant. Socio-economic barriers were identified as limiting this population‟s optimal utilization of maternal health services. Furthermore, some respondents‟ perceived available health care services to be of low quality. In order to improve reproductive health in rural northern Nigeria, it is imperative to improve access to formal education, increase knowledge about maternal health care, and improve the quality of care offered in health care facilities (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 71-76).
Résumé
Connaissance et perceptions de la santé maternelle dans l’état de Kaduna, au nord du Nigéria. Cette étude transversale et descriptive a exploré la connaissance et les perceptions de la santé maternelle et la conscience des services de santé chez les femmes et les hommes en âge de procréation dans les communautés rurales à Zaria, dans l‟état de Kaduna. Parmi les 647 répondants, 72,6% des hommes et seules 35,9% des femmes ont reçu l‟instruction formelle. La connaissance de la santé maternelle était faible. Dans une échelle à trois points (mauvais, passable, bon) seuls 3,1% des hommes et 1,2% des femmes avaient une bonne connaissance de la santé maternelle. L‟association entre le niveau d‟instruction et leur connaissance de la santé maternelle était statistiquement significative. Les obstacles socio-économiques ont été identifiés comme limitant l‟utilisation optimale des services de santé. En plus, quelques répondants ont aperçu les services de soins médicaux comme étant de base qualité. Pour améliorer la santé de la reproduction dans les régions rurale du nord du Nigéria, il est obligatoire d‟améliorer l‟accès à l‟instruction formelle au nord du Nigéria, d‟augmenter la connaissance en matière de la santé maternelle et d‟améliorer la qualité des services rendus dans les établissements de santé. Plus important encore, il faut explorer les options d‟accouchements plus sûrs qui seront acceptables dans les communautés où traditionnellement les femmes accouchent à domicile (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[3]: 71-76).
Key words: Maternal health, reproductive health, knowledge, perception, health care utilization, rural, northern Nigeria.
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