ASSESSING THE KNOWLEDGE AND UTILIZATION OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN IJEBU NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE
Keywords:
Maternal and Child Health, Rural Women, Healthcare Utilization, Socio-Economic Factors,Abstract
This study investigates the factors influencing the knowledge and utilization of maternal and child health (MCH) services
among rural women, focusing on access to healthcare facilities, socio-economic status, maternal education, and cultural
beliefs. Data were collected through surveys conducted in the Ijebu North East Local Government Area of Ogun State,
Nigeria. The findings reveal significant associations between various factors and MCH service utilization. Firstly, access to
healthcare facilities within close proximity positively correlates with the frequency of MCH service utilisation among rural
women (R=0.931, p<0.05). Socioeconomic factors, including household income and employment status, also significantly
influence MCH service utilization (R=0.936, p<0.05). Maternal education emerges as a predictor of knowledge of MCH
services among rural women (R=0.867, p<0.05). However, while cultural beliefs and norms regarding childbirth and child-
rearing practices were found to significantly impact MCH service utilization (R=0.785, p<0.05), the effect was not as strong
as anticipated. The multiple regression coefficients indicate that these independent variables collectively account for a
significant proportion of the variance in MCH service utilization, with access to healthcare facilities and socio-economic
factors explaining the largest proportions (86.6% and 87.7%, respectively).
These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of factors influencing MCH service utilization among rural women. They
highlight the importance of geographical accessibility, socio-economic status, and maternal education in promoting MCH
service utilization. Additionally, while cultural beliefs play a role, their impact may be more nuanced than previously
assumed. Understanding these influences is crucial for developing targeted interventions to improve MCH service utilization
and ultimately enhance maternal and child health outcomes in rural communities.