Evaluating Religious Influences on the Utilization of Maternal Health Services among Muslim and Christian Women in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction. Uptake of antenatal services is low in Nigeria; however, indicators in the Christian-dominated South have been better than in the Muslim-dominated North. This study evaluated religious influences on utilization of general and HIV-related maternal health services among women in rural and periurban North-Central Nigeria. Materials and Methods. Targeted participants were HIV-positive, pregnant, or of reproductive age in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa. Themes explored were utilization of facility-based services, provider gender preferences, and Mentor Mother acceptability. Thematic and content approaches were applied to manual data analysis. Results. Sixty-eight (68) women were recruited, 72% Christian and 28% Muslim. There were no significant religious influences identified among barriers to maternal service uptake. All participants stated preference for facility-based services. Uptake limitations were mainly distance from clinic and socioeconomic dependence on male partners rather than religious restrictions. Neither Muslim nor Christian women had provider gender preferences; competence and positive attitude were more important. All women found Mentor Mothers highly acceptable. Conclusion. Barriers to uptake of maternal health services appear to be minimally influenced by religion. ANC/PMTCT uptake interventions should target male partner buy-in and support, healthcare provider training to improve attitudes, and Mentor Mother program strengthening and impact assessment.

What Factors Influence the Persistence of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria ? A Systematic Review

“…The practise of FGM is performed without anaesthesia, using tools such as knife or razor blades. The use of such instruments poses a threat for HIV infections and Hepatitis [15][16][17]. Despite the painful nature of FGM, it is seen as a festive ceremony in some communities in Nigeria.…”

Male Partners Involvement in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Services in Southern Central Ethiopia: In Case of Lemo District, Hadiya Zone

“…In the country there were mostly older children who were vertically infected in earlier years when the coverage and effectiveness of PMTCT in the country were low [11]. To halt the problem their male partners and mostly husbands should play a vital role besides mothers [16]. …”

“…In Ethiopia, lack of male partner involvement in PMTCT undermined the potential benefits of antenatal HIV preventive efforts [16], thus representing a missed opportunity to effectively prevent vertical HIV transmission [17]. However, the factors associated with poor male participation are not well known in Ethiopia and need to be investigated to help the country develop reasonable strategies to address these bottlenecks.…”

Mitigating Gender and Maternal and Child Health Injustices through Faith Community-Led Initiatives

“…The pregnant women and mothers with under-5 children reached in this project showed greater compliance to uptake of ANC, perinatal services, and vaccination coverage compared to documented low coverage and uptake in the region 29,30. Though this study did not have a baseline data on MCH seeking behaviors of the women reached or their prior practices or beliefs, however, given the high participation in the weekly activities, the reported increase in support from the spouses, the reported increase in attendance of ANC, and acceptance/demand of HIV services and immunization for infants, it can be inferred that there was a change in behavior and attitude in the communities based on the engagements and activities of the CHESS-Advocates in their congregations.…”