Maternal Healthcare Utilisation and Satisfaction Among Women of Reproductive Age in Ibadan, Oyo State

Maternal healthcare services play a crucial role in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, yet utilisation remains uneven across service types. This study assessed the utilisation of maternal healthcare services among women of reproductive age in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, Oyo State, and examined the extent to which satisfaction with these services influenced their use. A descriptive quantitative design was employed, and a total of 322 women who had given birth and resided in the selected communities for at least six months participated. Data were collected using a researcher-developed Maternal Health Services Utilisation Questionnaire (MHSUQ), covering socio-demographic characteristics, utilisation patterns of antenatal care, labour and delivery, immunization, and family planning, as well as satisfaction with services. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize utilisation patterns and satisfaction levels, while chi-square analysis examined the relationship between satisfaction and service use. Findings revealed that immunization and labour/delivery services were more frequently utilised than antenatal care and family planning services. While the majority of women reported satisfaction with all services, satisfaction was significantly associated with utilisation only in the context of family planning. The study highlights that satisfaction alone may not drive consistent uptake of maternal health services, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness, accessibility, and quality of care to enhance service utilisation. Keywords: Maternal healthcare, service utilisation, maternal satisfaction, antenatal care, family planning, reproductive-aged women,