Household Environment and Maternal Health Among Rural Women of Northern Cross River State, Nigeria

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Household Environment and Maternal Health Among Rural Women of Northern Cross River State, Nigeria

David B. Ugal Department of Sociology, Faculty of the Social Sciences University of Ibadan, Ibadan – Nigeria daveugal@yahoo.com

Abstract:

Background: Despite policies and programmes designed to ensure safe motherhood, maternal morbidity and mortality rates have remained high in Nigeria. Household environment has been identified as crucial in maternal health; yet, little has been done to identify the environmental conditions that predispose women to morbidity and mortality in predominantly rural Northern Cross River State. This study investigated the role of household decisionmaking, domestic violence, access to and utilisation of maternal health facilities and socio-cultural practices that influence maternal health status.

Methods: A sample of 823 respondents was drawn and used for the study. The study involved both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Twenty each of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and In-depth Interviews (IDIs) were conducted among women of different ages, traditional birth attendants and elders were key informants.

Results: Household environment is significantly related to maternal health (χ2=15.8; P<0.05). The likelihood of better maternal health was significantly higher among households that used flush toilet than pit/latrine (OR=3.2; P<0.05),

pipe-borne

water

than

stream

water

(OR=5.0

P<0.05),

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