The Knowledge and Practices of Women of Child Bearing Age towards Safe Motherhood in Ekiti State

Abstract

Knowledge about safe motherhood practices could help reduce pregnancy related health risks. This study examined knowledge of safe motherhood among women of childbearing age in Ekiti state of Nigeria. The study employed, a cross sectional descriptive research to investigate the knowledge, and practice of women of child bearing age towards safe mother-hood in Ekiti State.  The target populations were women of child bearing age in the Public Health Institutions in Ekiti state. The results revealed that the knowledge of safe motherhood practices among Child Bearing Mothers (CBMs) were considered adequate (77.9%).  Also, the result further indicated that immunization practices of CBMs was excellently adequate (97.6%) since it met the above acceptable standard by WHO.  Additionally, the nutritional practices among CBMs were considered adequate (77.2%). Further, the competency of the health personnel according to CBMs was very adequate (80.8%) since it met the above acceptable standard by WHO.  Moreover, availability and accessibility of facilities for safe motherhood according to CBMs was a little above average (55.4%).  The result further showed that maternal educational level had significant effect on all the safe motherhood practices, Knowledge of SM [F(5,157)=6.026, p