AWARENESS AND USE OF INFORMATION ON SAFE MOTHERHOOD AMONG RURAL WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Information is a vital ingredient for the overall well-being of women. However, the extent to which rural women are aware of and use information on safe motherhood has not been clearly ascertained. This study examined if awareness determined information use on safe motherhood issues among rural women in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study utilized the survey research design Data were collected using the questionnaire; interviews; and the focus group discussions among rural women in eight selected local governments of Ogun state using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The data were presented using descriptive statistics and further analyzed with chi square test of independence. Major sources of health information used-by rural women were health workers, family and friends and the radio while the internet, CD-ROM, and libraries were seldom consulted. There was significant relationship between information awareness on matters of safe motherhood and use on preconception care (p= .006), antenatal care (p = .034), family planning (p= .000), immunizations (p = .003), and male circumcision (p = .003). However, breastfeeding (p= .081), child labour and child delivery complications (p= .355) did not significantly relate to information awareness and use. The study concluded that safe motherhood among rural women in Ogun State will be enhanced if there is significant improvement on reproductive health information, its use and provision of medical facilities.