Credit: Camylla Battani
The Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021 sheds light on the percentage of women aged 15-49 years who had a live birth in the last two years and were attended at least once by skilled health personnel during their pregnancy. The results of the survey reveal that 69.6% of these women received prenatal care from a skilled health worker.
One of the key findings of the MICS 2021 is the stark difference between urban and rural areas in terms of access to skilled health personnel during pregnancy. In urban areas, 87.5% of women received prenatal care, while in rural areas, the figure was only 59.3%. This disparity highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring that women in rural areas have access to quality maternal health services.
In Nigeria, maternal mortality remains a significant public health issue, with the country accounting for over 14% of the global maternal deaths. One of the key strategies to reducing maternal deaths is to ensure that women receive quality prenatal care from skilled health workers. Prenatal care can help identify and manage pregnancy complications early, reducing the risk of maternal death.
The Nigeria MICS 2021 also sheds light on the relationship between education level and access to skilled health personnel during pregnancy. The survey results reveal that there is a clear link between education and access to prenatal care, with women who have higher levels of education more likely to receive care from skilled health personnel.
For women with no education, the figure was 47.7%. This increased significantly for women with primary education, with 69.7% of them receiving prenatal care. Women with junior secondary education were even more likely to receive care, with a figure of 76.4%. The figure was even higher for women with senior secondary education, with 87.1% receiving care, and the highest figure was for women with higher/tertiary education, with 95.9% receiving care.
These results highlight the importance of education in empowering women to make informed choices about their health and seek care when needed. Women who are better educated are more likely to understand the benefits of prenatal care and be more proactive in seeking care for themselves and their children.
The Nigeria MICS 2021 results highlight the need to address disparities in access to skilled health personnel during pregnancy, particularly for women with lower levels of education. Improving access to education, especially for women and girls, can play a critical role in reducing maternal mortality and ensuring that women receive the care they need during pregnancy. Addressing these disparities is crucial for achieving maternal health and gender equality goals in Nigeria.
The Nigeria MICS 2021 also provides insight into the regional differences in access to skilled health personnel during pregnancy. The survey results reveal that there are significant disparities between the regions, with some regions having much higher rates of access to care than others.
In the North Central region, 72.7% of women received prenatal care from skilled health personnel. This was higher than the North East region, where the figure was 55.1%. In the North West region, the figure was 58.3%.
In contrast, the South East region had a much higher rate of access, with 94.4% of women receiving care. The South South region had a figure of 79.3%, while the South West region had a figure of 83.3%.
These regional differences highlight the need for targeted efforts to improve access to maternal health services, particularly in regions with lower rates of access. This includes investing in the training and deployment of skilled health personnel and strengthening the health system in these regions to ensure that women receive the care they need during pregnancy.
The Nigeria MICS 2021 provides a comprehensive picture of access to skilled health personnel during pregnancy at the state level. The results reveal significant disparities between states, with some states having much higher rates of access to care than others.
In Abia state, 89.0% of women received prenatal care from skilled health personnel. This was higher than the neighbouring state of Akwa Ibom, where the figure was 81.3%. In Anambra state, the figure was even higher, with 95.5% of women receiving care.
In contrast, some northern states had much lower rates of access, with Bauchi state having the lowest figure at 42.5%. Katsina state had a figure of 40.2%, while Kebbi state had a figure of 41.9%. Sokoto state had the second lowest figure, with 30.5% of women receiving care.
In Lagos state, 90.8% of women received care, while in Imo state, the figure was 96.8%. In Ebonyi state, the figure was 91.1%, while in Enugu state, it was 95.8%.
These state-level differences highlight the need for targeted efforts to improve access to maternal health services, particularly in states with lower rates of access. This includes investing in the training and deployment of skilled health personnel and strengthening the health system in these states to ensure that women receive the care they need during pregnancy.
In conclusion, the Nigeria MICS 2021 results highlight the ongoing need for concerted efforts to improve access to quality maternal health services, particularly for women in rural areas. This includes investing in the training and deployment of skilled health personnel and strengthening the health system to ensure that women receive the care they need during pregnancy. Addressing the disparities in access to skilled health personnel during pregnancy is crucial to reducing maternal mortality and ensuring that women in Nigeria have the opportunity to give birth safely.