Perceived factors affecting the utilization of maternity services in primary healthcare centre at a rural community in Northcentral, Nigeria

Background: Maternal health forms an important measure of healthcare quality, and maternal health services which involves prenatal, birth, and postnatal care is necessary to enhance maternal health and survival, decrease maternal morbidity and mortality. With a greater rate in rural than in urban regions, Nigeria contributes significantly to the global burden of avoidable maternal mortality. Utilization of maternal health services would reduce maternal mortality. Mortality among mothers would decrease with the use of maternal health care. The purpose of this study was to establish the degree to which maternal service utilization and the perceived factors influencing it in a rural community in North Central Nigeria. Methods: In a rural community in North Central Nigeria, women of childbearing age (15–49 years) participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study. 240 women were recruited using a multistage sample procedure, and data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine the data using SPSS version 26. Results: This study reveal 65.9% of the respondents utilized ANC at PHC, 29.1% gave birth the PHC and 35% utilized PNC at the PHC. Factors affecting the utilization of maternity services at the PHC includes: mothers’ level of education and age. Other perceived factors include; insufficient health workers, long waiting period, husband’s support and history of pregnancy complications. Conclusion: High levels of ANC consumption were observed at PHC, however low levels of PHC delivery and PNC service utilization were observed. The use of maternal health services is influenced by two main factors: age and education.