Knowledge of safe motherhood among women in rural communities in northern Nigeria: implications for maternal mortality reduction

Abstract

BackgroundMost developed countries have made considerable progress in addressing maternal mortality, but it appears that countries with high maternal mortality burdens like Nigeria have made little progress in improving maternal health outcomes despite emphasis by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Knowledge about safe motherhood practices could help reduce pregnancy related health risks. This study examines knowledge of safe motherhood among women in selected rural communities in northern Nigeria.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study carried out in two states (Kaduna and Kano States) within northern Nigeria. Pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaires were applied by female data collectors to 540 randomly selected women who had recently delivered within the study site. Chi-square tests were used to determine possible association between variables during bivariate analysis. Variables significant in the bivariate analysis were subsequently entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis. The degree of association was estimated by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between knowledge of maternal danger signs and independent socio-demographic as well as obstetric history variables which indicated significance at p< 0.05.ResultsOver 90% of respondents in both states showed poor knowledge of the benefits of health facility delivery by a skilled birth attendant. More than 80% of respondents in both states displayed poor knowledge of the benefits of ANC visits. More than half of the respondents across both states had poor knowledge of maternal danger signs. According to multivariate regression analysis, ever attending school by a respondent increased the likelihood of knowing maternal danger signs by threefold (OR 2.63, 95% CI: 1.2-5.8) among respondents in Kaduna State. While attendance at ANC visits during most recent pregnancy increased the likelihood of knowing maternal danger signs by twofold among respondents in Kano State (OR 2.05, 95% CI: 1.1-3.9) and threefold among respondents in Kaduna State (OR 3.33, 95% CI: 1.6-7.2).ConclusionThis study found generally poor knowledge about safe motherhood practices among female respondents within selected rural communities in northern Nigeria. Knowledge of safe pregnancy practices among some women in rural communities is strongly associated with attendance at ANC visits, being employed or acquiring some level of education. Increasing knowledge about safe motherhood practices should translate into safer pregnancy outcomes and subsequently lead to lower maternal mortality across the developing world.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Obstetric Danger Signs during Pregnancy in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia

“…This study revealed that 51(8.1%) who experienced obstetric danger signs 44(7.0%) had Good practice seek medical care when they faced problem. A study done in Indonesia, revealed that among the pregnant women who attended ANC, 36.6% of the respondents gave correct answers to a question on common practice such as, it is necessary to go to the hospital when severe headache or vision problems happen in pregnancy [11][12][13][14]. The difference might be due to small sample size.…”

Evaluation of correct knowledge of key danger signs in pregnancy among antenatal clinic attendees at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria

“…[5,6] Knowledge of obstetric danger signs and birth preparedness enhance utilization of skilled care during childbirth, and emergency obstetric care services. [7] Previous studies have reported different prevalence of awareness of danger signs in different settings among pregnant women. [8,9] For example, Kabakyenga et al identified severe vaginal bleeding as the most mentioned complication by women during pregnancy (49%), childbirth (64%), and postpartum (57%) period.…”

Preliminary study on the establishment of reference intervals for serum prolactin for women in Zaria, Nigeria

“…An appreciable number of the women (38.3%) had attained tertiary education (Table 1). This is a marked improvement from the study of Okereke et al (2013), where less than 5% of the female respondents participating in their study (site also in Northern Nigeria) had attained tertiary education. Other researchers have observed a lower educational status for females in Northern Nigeria as compared to other regions of the country (Korode, 2008;African Girl-Child Education Initiative, 2001;Umar, 1996).…”