References
Utilisation of antenatal care services as determinants of satisfaction and its challenges in Lagos, Nigeria
Abstract
Despite the growing interest and efforts by government to popularise antenatal care services in Nigeria as recommended by the World Health Organization, high levels of infant and maternal mortality remains a major public health challenge facing the country. Complications of pregnancy and childbirth cause more deaths and disabilities than any other reproductive health problems in African countries, including Nigeria. Antenatal care presents an opportunity for recognition and appropriate intervention for some of the causes of maternal mortality in developing countries. The study investigates the level of utilisation of antenatal care services as determinants of satisfaction and its challenges among pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to determine the sample size of 1 500 pregnant women. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients for the tools ranged from 0.94–0.97. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential (correlation, simple and multiple regression) statistics. The results showed that utilisation of antenatal care services had a significant influence on pregnant women's satisfaction with the services. Long waiting hours in the clinic, income/financial constraints, high cost of services and distance to health centres are the major challenges faced by pregnant women in Lagos.
Complications of pregnancy and childbirth cause more deaths and disabilities than any other reproductive health problems in African countries, including Nigeria (World Health Organization [WHO], 2016). Skilled antenatal care and birth attendance have been advocated globally as the most crucial solution to reduce complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Antenatal care presents an opportunity for recognition and appropriate intervention for some of the causes of maternal mortality in developing countries, especially in rural areas. The maternal mortality rate in Nigeria is among the highest in the world ranked 10 out of 183 countries, between 1999 and 2015 (WHO, 2016). Nigeria is a leading contributor to the maternal death figure in Africa, south of the Sahara, not only because of the size of its population but also because of the high maternal mortality ratio. Nigeria's maternal mortality ratio of 1:100 is higher than the regional average, with an estimated 59 000 annual maternal deaths. Nigeria, which has approximately two percent of the world's population, contributes almost 10% of the world's maternal deaths (Federal Ministry of Health, 2011).
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