SOCIO-CULTURAL DETERMINANTS OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES UTILIZATION AMONG CHILDBEARING WOMEN IN BAYELSA STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the socio-cultural determinants of Primary Health Care (PHC) services utilization among childbearing women in Bayelsa State. Four research questions as well as four responding hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted descriptive survey design. A sample of 1,875 women were selected through multistage sampling procedure. The instrument used for data collection was a self–structured 20 item questionnaire titled Socio-cultural Determinants of Health Care Services Utilization Questionnaire (SDHCSUQ). The reliability of instrument was established using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) which yielded a coefficient value of 0.81. Mean, standard deviation and ANOVA was used to analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that level of education and culture are significant determinants of primary health care services utilization among childbearing women in Bayelsa State. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that there should be mass sensitization of women on available maternal health care services at primary health care facilities. Moreso, women empowerment programs should be introduced by the government to boost the women’s financial status and enable them take independent decision concerning their health issues.