Access to Reproductive Health-Care Services and Its Impact on the Health of Women in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Reproductive health is a crucial part of general health and a central feature of human development. It is therefore an important component of health which serves as a precondition for human development as well as a central determinant of quality life. Since the 1980s’ there has been increasing awareness on the need to pay special attention on the reproductive health of women by the government. Access to the reproductive health services has long been undermined, which can be viewed as an infringement on women’s rights and compounded by other factors such as inadequate health facilities, economic, socio-cultural, belief systems and demographic factors. The study therefore sought to examine the impact of access to reproductive healthcare services on the health of women in Guma LGA of Benue State. Data was collected using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. The findings of the study indicated that a significant proportion of the population fall within the age bracket of 26-35, which represents 82 persons (41%). One hundred and twenty are married (61.5%), while 90 (45%) are farmers. Sixty nine persons (34.5) have at least secondary education. Majority of the respondents were Christians 150 (75%) while 120 (60%) live in rural areas. The fundamental challenges of reproductive healthcare services in Guma local government area stems from economic status/poverty. This fact was indicated by majority of (189; 94.5%) of respondents. The study observes that the real panacea for solving reproductive health challenges in the area is for the government to accelerate the pace of development. Development in this context consists of creating an economy with relevant social, economic and physical infrastructure for the well-being of women, in order for women to have full access to reproductive healthcare services, there is also the need for the government to make provision for adequate reproductive healthcare facilities and services, fund public health institutions and subsidized the cost of reproductive healthcare services for the women in Guma LGA.