An Assessment of Knowledge, Utilization, and Perceptions On Antenatal Care Services among Women in Nimba County, Liberia
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Date
2022
Authors
Smythe, Edwina
Kabiru, Ephantus
Osero, Justus O.S
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stratford
Abstract
Liberia registers an exponential mortality rate in developing Sub-Saharan countries in Africa.
Inadequate utilization of antenatal care is a leading cause of the higher infant mortality rates
recorded in Liberia. Thus, this study seeks to assess knowledge and socio-demographic factors
that thwart the utilization of ANC services among women between 15 and 49 years in Nimba
County, Liberia. The study applied quantitative and qualitative research design. A sample of 167
was selected using a systematic sampling technique. The SPSS Software Version 23.0 was used
to analyze the data collected statistically. Results indicated that 54.5 % of the sample were between
15 – 25 years. Socio-demographic characteristics such as age (χ 2= 0.902), df= 3, P= 0.825), were
not significant with ANC attendance and the level of knowledge was significant (χ 2=5.653 df =1
P=0.017). Further, 150 women in the sample had adequate knowledge of ANC services. The high
level of knowledge among respondents was significant (χ 2=5.653 df =1 P=0.017) with ANC
attendance. In addition, 83.8% attended ANC services, and 77.8% delivered their babies at health
centres. One of the noticeable challenges cited by respondents in this study was the distance to
facilities with 64%. Most people were knowledgeable about ANC services, which affected their
decision to utilize ANC services, while demographic factors were not significant. However, the
study has established inadequate medication and distance to the nearest facility foiled the
utilization of ANC services. Therefore, this study recommends that the government ensures that
rural Liberia’s health facilities are equipped with medicines and accessible and aggressively
conducts civic education or campaigns to create awareness about the ANC services
Description
Article
Keywords
Antenatal care, pregnancy, health workers
Citation
Smythe, E., Kabiru, E., & Osero, J. (2022). An assessment of knowledge, utilization, and perceptions on antenatal care services among women in Nimba County, Liberia. Journal of Medicine, Nursing & Public Health, 5(2), 39 - 51. https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t6021