Utilization of Maternal Health Services and Enhancement Strategies among Women of Reproductive Age in Benue State, Nigeria

AbstractBackground: The utilisation of maternal health services (MHS) such as antenatal care, skilleddelivery and postnatal careis a decisive determinant of maternal and newborn survival, yetuptake among women of reproductive age in Nigeria remains uneven and shaped by individual,economic and socio-cultural factors. This study assessed the extent of MHS utilisation amongwomen of reproductive age in Benue State, north-central Nigeria, examined variation across thestate's geographical zones, and identified strategies to enhance service uptake.Methods: A descriptive survey design was used. A multistage sampling procedure across thethree senatorial zones of Benue State yielded 400 women of reproductive age (15–49 years), whocompleted a validated structured questionnaire (Cronbach's α = 0.83). Data were analysed withdescriptive statistics and the chi-square test at p < 0.05, informed by Andersen's behaviouralmodel of healthcare utilisation and the Health Belief Model.Results: Women of reproductive age utilised maternal health services to a high extent overall (x̄= 2.61), with antenatal care and immunisation the most-used services, though utilisation wasconstrained by perceptions of poor staff attitude and inadequate equipment. Strategies to enhanceuptake were strongly endorsed (aggregate x̄ = 3.40), foremost among them regular communityengagement by health workers, radio and television promotion of maternal-health benefits,provider responsiveness to women's concerns, and continuing staff training. Utilisation differedsignificantly across the three geographical zones (χ² = 125.245; df = 4; p < 0.05).Conclusion: Although maternal health services are utilised to a high extent in Benue State,uptake is uneven across zones and shaped by provider attitude, equipment and awareness.Community engagement, mass-media promotion, provider training and improved access areprioritised to strengthen utilisation.