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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: Field workers interviewed 915 women between 15-45 years old from 8 villages in the Kainji Lake Area in Nigeria to gather data on maternal care and outcome of pregnancies. In addition, the author interviewed nurses at the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) Hospital, General Hospital, and the Methodist Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Centre in New Bussa to learn about the quality of prenatal and postnatal care offered at these facilities. The only facility that did not provide vaccinations was the Methodist MCH Centre. The General Hospital covered the widest area (about 40 km), but NEPA Hospital provided the best quality services. For example, 80% of the patients that delivered at NEPA Hospital sought antenatal services there. These percentages were only 50% and 39.2% for General Hospital and Methodist MCH Centre respectively. 80% and 85% of the women sought prenatal and postnatal care respectively from traditional health providers, chiefly midwives. Therefore postnatal care was not a priority at the health facilities. Prenatal care consisted of consultation with a prophet, wearing amulets, using herbal concoctions for bathing and drinking, and injections of herbal power to keep evil spirits away and guarantee safe delivery. Midwives generally did not refer women to the hospitals. 97% of all deliveries occurred at home. Health officials should train and supervise traditional providers. Out of the 4940 pregnancies at the time of the interview, 91% (4508) were born. 412 abortions and 49 multiple pregnancies occurred. Twinning peaked at 3rd parity. The survival rate for 1st born children stood at 77%, but declined with subsequent pregnancies and stood at 50% for the 5th child. 70% of deaths were caused by fevers, and gastrointestinal disorders, and chest infections. 55% of deaths occurred at 1 year. 96% of mothers wanted to wait between 1-3 years before having another child. Breast feeding and sexual abstinence were the means to space the births.
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