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African Health Sciences
Makerere University Medical School
ISSN: 1680-6905 EISSN: 1680-6905
Vol. 15, No. 1, 2015, pp. 217-225
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Bioline Code: hs15029
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Health Sciences, Vol. 15, No. 1, 2015, pp. 217-225
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Women’s status within the household as a determinant of maternal health care use in Nigeria
Fawole, Olufunmilayo I. & Adeoye, Ikeola A.
Abstract
Background: Although gender inequality is often cited as a barrier to improving maternal health in sub-saharan Africa, there is lack of empirical data on how women’s socio-cultural characteristics may influence use of health services in Nigeria.
Objective: To describe how women’s position in the household affects receipt of maternity care services.
Methods: Secondary data analysis of 10,052 and 4,590 currently married women aged 15 to 49 years from the 2008 Nigerian DHS who receive skilled antenatal and delivery care at least till pregnancy was done.
Results: Receipt of skilled delivery care was by 37.9% while, natal care was by 98.4%. Education, residence and wealth index all significantly influenced receipt of maternal health care. Women who were involved in decision making on their own health (aOR=1.97; 95%CI=1.88-2.06) and were employed throughout the year (aOR=1.11; 95%CI=1.01-1.23) were more likely to receive skilled antenatal care, while those who justified physical intimate partner violence were less likely to receive both skilled antenatal care (aOR=0.92; 95%CI=0.85-0.98) and delivery services (aOR 0.54; 95% CI 0.33-0.87).
Conclusion: Interventions aimed at improving maternal care should promote women empowerment (decision making, self
worth, educational and economic) and should involve partners.
Keywords
women’s position; women’s status; skilled antenatal care; skilled delivery care; gender inequality in Africa; physical intimate partner violence
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