The Knowledge and Practices of Women of Child Bearing Age towards Safe Motherhood in Ekiti State

Abstract

Knowledge about safe motherhood practices could help reduce pregnancy related health risks. This study examined knowledge of safe motherhood among women of childbearing age in Ekiti state of Nigeria.

The study employed, a cross sectional descriptive research to investigate the knowledge, and practice of women of child bearing age towards safe mother-hood in Ekiti State.  The target populations were women of child bearing age in the Public Health Institutions in Ekiti state.

The results revealed that the knowledge of safe motherhood practices among Child Bearing Mothers (CBMs) were considered adequate (77.9%).  Also, the result further indicated that immunization practices of CBMs was excellently adequate (97.6%) since it met the above acceptable standard by WHO.  Additionally, the nutritional practices among CBMs were considered adequate (77.2%). Further, the competency of the health personnel according to CBMs was very adequate (80.8%) since it met the above acceptable standard by WHO.  Moreover, availability and accessibility of facilities for safe motherhood according to CBMs was a little above average (55.4%).  The result further showed that maternal educational level had significant effect on all the safe motherhood practices, Knowledge of SM [F(5,157)=6.026, p<.001]; Nutritional practices of SM [F(5,157)=8.848, p<.001]; Immunization practices of SM [F(5,157)=12.366, p<.001]; Personal hygiene practice [F(5,157)=2.934, p<.05]; Competency of the health personnel [F(5,157)=6.913, p<.001];  Factors that determine underutilization of SM [F(5,157)=2.436, p<.05]; Availability and accessibility for SM [F(5,157)=4.331, p<.001] & Family planning practice of SM [F(5,157)=11.039, p<.001].

Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that there were adequate knowledge of safe motherhood practices among CBMs in Ekiti State.  Secondly, there were adequate nutritional practices among CBMs in Ekiti State.  Thirdly, the immunization practices among CBMs in Ekiti State were excellently adequate. Finally, the personal hygiene practices among CBMs in Ekiti State were more than adequate.  It was therefore recommended that health educators, institutions and other health professional should design better educational strategies to improve health education practices among CBMs in the area of study. Secondly, seminars and workshop should be organized for CBMs to improve their utilization of MCH services.