Shared Seasoned Journal

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the socio-demographic determinants of antenatal care services’ utilization among childbearing women in Akwa Ibom State. Two research questions and hypotheses were postulated. Cross-sectional research design was adopted. The population consisted of 51,083 childbearing women. A sample of 2544 childbearing women was drawn for the study using multi-stage sampling procedure. “Socio-Demographic Determinants of Antenatal Care Utilization Questionnaire (SDDACUQ)” was used for data collection. The SDDACUQ was validated by five experts. It was subjected to reliability test using Cronbach Alpha, and a reliability index of .96 was obtained after analysis. Data from 2538 completed copies of SDDACUQ were used for analysis. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions, while ANOVA was used to test hypotheses 1, and t-test was used to test hypothesis 2. Results revealed parity status (women with one child parity status), and location of residence (women in urban location) were the socio-demographic variables that highly determine the utilization of ANC services among Akwa Ibom women. There were significant differences in the utilization of antenatal care services (ANC) by childbearing women of parity status, and location of residence in Akwa Ibom State Based on findings, it was recommended that the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health should provide education on antenatal care to childbearing women having 6 and above children to encourage them to utilize ANC services.

KEYWORDS: Antenatal care (ANC), Parity status, Location of residence and Akwa Ibom State