IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH (IJHPR )

E-ISSN 2545-5737
P-ISSN 2695-2165
VOL. 10 NO. 4 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijhpr.vol.10.no4.2025.pg89.103

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Determinants of Maternal Health Seeking Behavior Among Pregnant Women in Some Selected Primary Health Care Centers in Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, Ekiti State.

Aduloju Esther Olamide, Professor Emmanuel Teju Jolayemi, Professor James Ebun Atolagbe

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Abstract

Maternal health has become a global concern because the lives of millions of women in reproductive age can be saved through maternal health care services. Maternal health is the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period and maternal health care services are antenatal care (ANC), delivery care and postnatal care (PNC) services. The aim of this study is to identify the determinants of maternal health seeking behavior among pregnant women in some selected primary health care centers in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. A descriptive cross sectional research design was adopted for the study and simple random sampling method was used to select at least 5 PHC centers in the area while simple random sampling was used to select respondents from the respective PHC centers. A pretested questionnaire was used for the data collection of the study and a total of three hundred and twenty two (322) women participated in the study. Results from the study revealed that 7.9% of the women were in the age range of 45-49 years. Majority were Christians (81.8%) and of Yoruba origin (89.0%). Considering the association between socio-demographic characteristics of women and health seeking behavior of pregnant women towards maternal health services, socio-demographic variables (age, number of children, level of income, level of education, occupation) had significant association with health seeking behavior of respondent?s maternal health services while other socio-demographic variable (Marital status) was not significant. Also regarding the association between socio-demographic characteristics and level of knowledge of Maternal Health, socio-demographic variables (age, number of children, level of income, and level of education) had significant association with health seeking behavior of respondent?s maternal health services while other socio-demographic

Maternal Health, Childbirth, Determinants, Antenatal care, Pregnant women

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