Knowledge of Antenatal Attendees Regarding Maternal Mortality Risk Factors at Primary Healthcare Facilities in Oluyole Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is bewildered with so many public health challenges, and one among them is maternal mortality. The study was purposeful to assess knowledge of antenatal attendees regarding maternal mortality risk factors at primary healthcare facilities in Oluyole local government (LG), Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The population of the study comprised antenatal attendees at primary healthcare facilities in Oluyole LG. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 230. Validated structured questionnaire was used to obtain data. Reliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.86. A chi-square was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that there was difference in the distribution of responses with significantly more antenatal attendees demonstrated adequate knowledge regarding maternal age (χ² = 477.37, > 3.841. p < .001); low economic status (χ² = 375.24 > 3.841. p < .001); and inadequate knowledge regarding malnutrition (χ² = 59.40 > 3.841. p < .001) as risk factors for maternal mortality in Oluyole LG, Oyo State. Antenatal attendees had adequate knowledge regarding maternal age and low economic status, while there was inadequate knowledge regarding malnutrition as risk factors for maternal mortality. It was recommended that, during antenatal sessions, health personnel should emphasis on dangers associated with pregnancy among adolescents and > 40 years, the benefits of attending nearby health facilities during delivery, and nutrition education through food demonstration to dispel food myths, and thereby promote healthy pregnancy outcomes.