Access to Antenatal Care Provision in Nigeria: A Case of Mutumbiyu District, Taraba, Nigeria

Abstract

Access to quality health care remains a major challenge in the efforts at reversing maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of established maternal health interventions, the health of the expectant mother and the unborn child remains poor due to low utilization of interventions. Ante-natal care is the key entry point of a pregnant woman to receive broad range of health education and preventive services that are useful to improving mother and her pregnancy’s health. The study sought to analyse factors affecting pregnant women access to antenatal care provision in Mutumbiyu District Taraba Nigeria. The theoretical framework of emerging behavior model of utilization was used. A cross-sectional design method using structured questionnaire and key informant interview guide were used. A total number of 280 pregnant women were randomly sampled by the proportionate multi- stage sampling technique of balloting without replacement. Descriptive analysis, percentages, frequencies, pie charts, bars and cross tabulation were used in analyzing field data. In addition, data were analyzed using Excel, SPSS 23.0 version multiple regression and significance levels of 0% and 10% were considered The results showed varying access and utilization of antenatal care provision with age, educational and occupational status as important socio-economic and cultural determinants while distance to Antenatal care, quality of service and service satisfaction were significant system factors that influenced access and utilization of antenatal care provision among pregnant women in the study area. The study findings further indicated 83.3% of the respondents do not have access to health insurance hence insurance status does not independently play much role in the Antenatal care utilization of pregnant. The findings reveal that once the free maternal healthcare policy covers antenatal care provision, pregnant mothers were not compelled to enroll on the National Health Insurance Scheme as uninsured mother’s utilized Antenatal care regularly like their insured counterparts. The study concludes that stepping up of interventions aimed at improving the socio-economic status, socio-cultural orientation and addressing health system and proximity challenges can improve the health of pregnant women and their babies. The study recommends that the stakeholder approach be taken to determine interest groups including women groups who desire to promote maternal health in a holistic manner; these groups should be represented under the auspices of the Director of health of the Local Government Council. This will help to put both local and scientific knowledge on equal footing and is likely to result to the meeting of needs of pregnant women and the priorities of the health care system. The levels of engagement on education could be symposia, workshop, community group meetings, local opinion polls, role play and slide shows. The health education given to expectant mothers could be an end in itself as they become empowered to taking well-informed decisions and varied choices.