Health status and pregnancy experience of pregnant women in a rural community, Gamashina of Kano State

Abstract

Significant stress with deleterious impact on the health of a pregnant woman is a known occurrence in the course of pregnancy. This study explored the variations in health profile of rural pregnant women in Northern Nigerian rural setting. Records of a cohort of 340 pregnant women provided ANC services in a rural faith-based PHC facility were reviewed to ascertain their obstetric care seeking behaviour, pregnancy experience and health profile in the course of their pregnancies, and fetal outcome using a template to abstract relevant information. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the trends in their health status over the course of their pregnancy through to delivery. Mean booking and pre-delivery maternal weights were 53.35 kg and 55.83 kg respectively. 62.17% were found to have lost weight in the course of their pregnancies, while 21.31% had no change in weight, and 16.52% had varying degrees of weight appreciation. Mean booking haemoglobin value was 12.96%. Poor obstetric care seeking behaviour was a notable finding as 55.65% terminated their ANC access before the 34th week of gestation. High homebased obstetric services as shown by home deliveries and by untrained traditional birth attendants were high (90.88%). Poor pregnancy outcome as depicted by low birth weight (mean birth weight of 2.93 kg) and high stillbirth (48.19%) were found. More comprehensive maternal and child health services that are community-driven is recommended; and it is imperative that the traditional and community obstetric care providers and its system be harnessed. In addition, there is the need to vigorously put on ground, programmes for ensuring women especially rural women empowerment and for paying more attention to rural pregnant women due to their high risk nature from their marginal health profile prior to and during pregnancy.