Perceived Benefit Of Health Education On Pregnant Women Attending Ante-Natal Care

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

An effective intervention against maternal mortality exists yet millions of pregnant women die of preventable complications due to lack of knowledge of current government intervention (Bhatia &Cleland, 2009). High maternal death in Nigeria is of utmost concern to public health (Ekele, Shehu, Ahmed & Fache, 2008). Knowledge and attitude towards ‘Focus Antenatal Care’ (FANC) utilization by pregnant women are key to the usage of Antenatal Care facilities for the reduction of maternal and infant mortality (Munjanja, Lindmark & Nystrom, 2006). Efforts have been made by the government and Non-Governmental Agencies to reduce maternal and infant mortality. These efforts according to Umeora, Sunday-Adeoyeand Ugwu, (2008), have made little or no impact in Nigeria because of health ignorance of effective antenatal care services in Nigeria. In spite of the years of defeat in reducing maternal mortality, scientific knowledge about it continued up until now. Antenatal care is one of the basic components of maternal care on which the life of mothers and babies depend (Saseendran, Mary & William, 2004).

Antenatal care (ANC) is an umbrella term used to describe the medical procedures and care that are carried out during pregnancy. It is the care a woman receives throughout the period of her pregnancy and is important in helping to ensure a healthy pregnancy state and safe childbirth (Magadi, Madise & Diamond, 2010). Pregnancy causes many physical and psychological changes in a woman. A nurse who works with pregnant women and their families must be familiar with these changes to provide anticipatory guidelines and this can be done by providing adequate pre-natal care. One of the ways to keep the expectant mother healthy and able to take self care is to give timely need based health education to the woman. Nisar and White (2003) stated that antenatal care (ANC) is an important determinant of good maternal health. Lack of ante natal care is a risk factor for maternal mortality, and reduction of maternal mortality requires early detection of high risk pregnancies through proper ante natal care. Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the post partum period. It encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, conception, prenatal, and postnatal care in order to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality (WHO, 2005). Good maternal health can be promoted through proper maternal health education which invariably influences maternal health attitude. Positive health education and attitude is capable of influencing maternal morbidity and mortality among pregnant women, thus the need for the study.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Good health for mothers is an important public health concern. Death during childbirth is often the concluding event in a long story of pain and suffering. Millions more are Le with permanent disability and damage which impact their ability to undertake social and economic responsibilities and share in the development of their communities. The deaths, many of which may be preventable, impact women who are not only childbearing but are also often the mainstays within a family – as careers to the young and old, bread winners and educators of children (Scotland Malawi Partnership, 2010). Maternal morbidity and mortality constitute a serious health problem that requires systematic investigations and effective health education of pregnant women to forestall the increase of infant mortality. Hence, the problem of this study posed in question form is: does health education during antennal pose positive effect among pregnant mothers in Oyo State, Nigeria?

1.3 Aims of the Study

The major aim of the study is to examine the benefit of health education on pregnant women attending ante natal care in Nigeria.

Other specific objectives of the study are;

• To examine the level of educational awareness of pregnant women towards ante natal care in Nigeria.
• To examine the impact of health education on pregnant women attending ante natal care in Nigerian hospitals.
• To assess the factors affecting the effective health education of pregnant women towards ante natal care in Nigeria.
• To examine the impact of ante natal care during pregnancy and maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria hospitals.
• To recommend ways of improving health education of pregnancy women in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

• What is the level of educational awareness of pregnant women towards ante natal care in Nigeria?
• What is the impact of health education on pregnant women attending ante natal care in Nigerian hospitals?
• What are the factors affecting the effective health education of pregnant women towards ante natal care in Nigeria?
• What is the impact of ante natal care during pregnancy and maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria hospitals?
• What are the ways of improving health education of pregnancy women in Nigeria?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

H0: There is no significant impact of health education on pregnant women attending ante natal care in Nigerian hospitals.

H1: There is a significant impact of health education on pregnant women attending ante natal care in Nigerian hospitals.

1.7 Significance of the Study

The study would be of immense importance to the health sector in Nigeria as it would highlight the benefits of health education to pregnant women in attending ante natal care so as to reduce infant mortality in Nigeria. The study would also benefit students, researchers and scholars who are interested in developing further studies on the subject matter.

1.8 Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study is restricted to the perceived benefit of health education on pregnant women attending ante natal care in general hospital kishi Local government area of Oyo State.

1.9 Limitation of the Study

Financial Constraint:

Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time Constraint:

The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.