Perceived Factors Affecting Utilization of Antenatal Care Services among Childbearing Mothers in Owerri Municipal Council, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Poor utilization of antenatal care services is a major public health concern especially in the developing countries.        It is largely responsible for high rate of maternal mortality among  reproductive age women worldwide. This study investigated perceived factors affecting utilization of antenatal care services among childbearing mothers in Owerri Municipal Imo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional research survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 42, 141 childbearing mothers. The sample for the study comprised 420 childbearing mothers drawn using simple random sampling technique of balloting without replacement and convenience sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was a self-designed Perceived Factors Affecting Utilization of Antenatal Care Services Questionnaire (PFAUACNSQ). Frequency and percentages were used to answer the research questions while the null hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistics at .05 level of significance. The results indicated that overall more than half (56.0%) of childbearing mothers agreed on the enlisted perceived factors affecting utilization of antenatal care services. Age (p =.000 < .05) and level of education (p =.007 < .5) were significantly associated with perceived factors affecting utilization of antenatal care services. Many mothers in the Council may be willing to learn thus health educators should adopt strategies to intensify awareness in order to reduce complications during pregnancy and childbirth.