UTILIZATION OF BLOOD PRESSURE APPARATUS IN MATERNAL HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN RURAL BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Unavailability and low level of blood pressure apparatus utilisation in a hospital particularly rural communities are a critical challenge that threatens the lives of pregnant women in rural Bayelsa State. This research explores the role of blood pressure apparatus on maternal healthcare service delivery in rural Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted and the instruments for data collection were in-depth interview and questionnaire. Data from the questionnaire were analysed using the Statistics for Social Sciences (SPSS), presented in tables. Findings revealed that blood pressure apparatus has significantly contributed to improve maternal healthcare service delivery in rural Bayelsa State in the area of blood pressure status of pregnant women in order to offer drug prescription and timely intervention in times of emergencies. However, in some primary healthcare facilities, blood pressure apparatus was not available. It is recommended among others that Bayelsa State Government to provide Blood Pressure Apparatus in the available healthcare facilities in rural Bayelsa State. And to properly educate people rural women through local languages on the importance of using blood pressure apparatus for their maternal healthcare.