Factors Influencing Mothers’ Utilization of Maternal and Child Care (MCC) Services

The Rapid Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality is a health system responsive to the needs of all mothers and children. While various efforts are being undertaken to improve the implementation of maternal health program among pregnant women and immunization for children, there is a slow take up of these services. Factors influencing the slow demand for MCC services among mothers and children are not fully known. Factors hindering the delivery of these services need to be probed. This study used the descriptive method of research to describe the responses of mothers about the factors influencing slow availment of Maternal and Child Care Services. There were 396 mothers in Region 1 who willingly participated during focused group discussion. The highly availed services by mothers were: 1. pre-natal service, 2. Immunization, and 3. Family planning. Health services availed by the respondents’ children were: 1. Management of childhood illness, 2. Immunization, and 3. Infant and young feeding. The mothers’ deep concern for her baby’s safety and health; free but limited medical services from competent health workers; inadequate supplies and equipment; distance to the nearest health facility, family income, mothers’ education and dialect for communication influenced delivery of the program. To increase the utilization of MCC services, government hospitals should give free complete MCC services to the poor, the mothers should be informed about the benefits of complete maternal services for her baby and herself, enhance dissemination campaign through leaflets, flyers, pamphlets, and seminars.

Keywords: mother and child care, availment, pre-natal, natal, post-natal