Maternal perceived self-efficacy, perceived vulnerability and child health outcome in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria

Objective

The problems associated with child health continue to constitute a global concern, and child morbidity and mortality remain problematic in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Utilizing a community-based survey conducted in Ibadan North Local government, Southwest Nigeria the study examined the influences of maternal perceived self-efficacy (MPSE) and maternal perceived vulnerability (MPV) on child health outcomes (CHO).

Methods

The study appraised data from 683 nursing mothers aged 15‒45 obtained from 20 major primary healthcare centers in the region undergoing routine health checks for their children. Three regression models were fitted to examine the effects of MPV, MPSE, and confounding variables of maternal preventive actions such as insecticide-treated nets (ITN) usage and child immunization, among other maternal and child sociodemographic attributes on CHO.

Results

The study finds that MPV has no correlation with CHO and MPSE but positively correlates with maternal age (r = 0.123, P < 0.05). However, CHO has a negative correlation with MPSE (r = −0.200, P < 0.05) while positively correlated with child age (r = 0.134, P < 0.05). MPSE has a unique effect on CHO (β = −0.203, P < 0.05), maternal preventive action of ITN usage show a positive association with CHO in the study Model 2 (β = −0.163, P < 0.05), while in Model 3, child's age has a positive association with CHO (β = 0.180, P < 0.05). The net effect of the study models accounted for approximately 10% of the variance in CHO reported among the children.

Conclusion

Overall, MPSE and ITN usage are essential factors for understanding and reducing the potential adverse CHO. Global effort must continue to improve maternal education to support child health and preventive care practices in SSA.