Emerging Health Problems among Reproductive Mothers in Abakaliki Urban of Ebonyi State: Implication for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Reproductive women are currently faced with a lot of health challenges which can be life threatening leading to high maternal morbidity and mortality thus, defeating one of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of reducing global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100, 000 live births. This study investigated the emerging health problems among reproductive mothers in Abakaliki urban of Ebonyi State. The descriptive Survey research design was adopted using a population of all reproductive mothers in Abakaliki Urban of Ebonyi State. Samples of 150 pregnant and nursing mothers respectively were selected through purposive sampling method. The Instrument for data collection was a self-constructed health problem among reproductive mothers’ questionnaire (HPARMQ). Results of the study revealed physical, social and economic health problems being experienced by the reproductive mothers. Age (p=0.43), location (p=0.704) and parity (0.276) are not significantly associated with high health problems during pregnancy. The study concluded that reproductive mothers in Abakaliki Urban had physical, social and economic health problems bordering their lives. These call for quick and urgent health education intervention and treatment for the women to avert further spread and danger posed by the health problems. The study recommended among others that government at all levels in collaboration with the ministry of health should organize periodic health education seminars for reproductive mothers in order to sensitize them concerning the prevailing health problems, prevention and control for their optimal health that wi1ll contribute to National growth and development.