Assessment of health care utilization among women of child bearing age in all Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) outstations, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to assess the health care utilization among women of child-bearing ages attending out-patient clinics (OPC) in all Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital [NAUTH] Outstations in Anambra State, South-Eastern, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in the Out-patient clinics of all NAUTH Outstations. Systematic random sampling was used to recruit the respondents. Data collection was by the use of a self-administered questionnaire. Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical and research committee of NAUTH, Nnewi.  The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 300 women that met the inclusion criteria were recruited with a mean age ± SD of 29.4 (± 0.7) years. The proportion of   respondents who utilized the health care facilities was 252 (84.67%), while12.67% attended maternity homes and 2.66% preferred to stay at home. Conclusion: Many women utilized the facilities and the impact is the reduction of morbidity and mortality among this reproductive age group which gives credence to the importance of healthcare utilization services by women of reproductive age.