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Utilization Of Antenatal And Maturity Services By Mothers Seeking Child Welfare Services In Nigeria
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The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 and 5 require improvement of
maternal and child health. Target 6 of MDG5 specified that between 1990
and 2015, maternal mortality ratio be reduced by three quarters. The
chances of attaining this target depend on how policy, plans and int
erventions address the comprehensive set of social, economic, cultural
as well as medical causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria
(Ladipo, 2009).
The
2006 census estimated that there were about 65 million females in
Nigeria, out of which 30 million were of reproductive age (15-49
years). Each year about 6 million women become pregnant, 5 million of
these pregnancies resulted in child birth (WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, 2007).
Yearly, about 1,080,000-1,620,000 Nigerian women and girls suffer
disabilities caused by complications during pregnancy and child birth
(HILL, Abouzahr & Wardlaw, 2001). For every one that dies, 20-30
more suffer long term and short term disabilities such as chronic
anaemia, maternal exhaustion or physical weakness, vesico-vaginal or
recto-vaginal fistulae, stress incontinence, chronic pelvic pain,
infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and emotional depression (Ladipo,
2009). Child survival is equally affected too as the chances of
survival of a child in the absence of his or her mother is greatly
reduced.
Maternal heath and the health of new born children are
critical topics in global development. When women are able to access
needed quality health care services and protect themselves from the many
health risks they face,l ong-term social and economic progress can be
achieved. The health and well-being of mother, infants, and young
children are of critical importance, both as reflections of the current
health status of individuals, local communities and the nation as a
whole and as predictors of the health of the next generation (Okereke,
et al, 2005). In several key areas of health care, mothers and young
children of several communities of developing countries are not
receiving the health care services they need, and the result is
premature illness and preventable death (Okereke, et al, 2005). The
foregoing, prompted the researcher to undertake research study on the
provision and utilization of maternal and child health care services
among women of child bearing age in Benue State.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Every
minute in a day, somewhere in the world, a woman dies due to
complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth (Ladipo, 2009). In
Nigeria, 150 of such women die daily; it is the leading cause of death
among women of reproductive age. The tragedy is that these women do not
die from diseases, but during a normal, life-enhancing process of
procreation. Even more tragic, is the fact that these deaths are
avoidable if preventive measures are taken and adequate care is
available (Ladipo, 2009).
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