A systematic review on the factors associated with utilization of maternal healthcare services at the primary healthcare setting among Hausa women in Nigeria.

Victoria Adeleye; Saheed Akinmayowa Lawal

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2443

Authors

Victoria Udo Adeleye Department of Public Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Dr. Lawal Saheed Akinmayowa Department of Public Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo Ogun State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2443

Keywords:

Maternal health services, Hausa women, Antenatal, Post natal, Skilled birth delivery, Primary healthcare

Abstract

Introduction

The utilization of Maternal Health Services (MHSs) is important to reduce and manage the complications that may arise during pregnancy. This review from literatures identified the factors that discourage the utilization of maternal healthcare services among Hausa women in Nigeria.

Methods

A systematic mixed studies review was carried out on studies done in Nigeria from the year 2020 to 2025 to synthesize findings from quantitative and qualitative studies. The review adopted the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Peer-reviewed articles were searched through several electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, and Science Direct. After quality appraisal, 9 papers that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were used in the review.

Result

Findings from the review showed that cultural and religious practices, mothers’ level of education and age, ignorance, insufficient health workers, long waiting period, history of pregnancy complications, and shortage of drugs were factors that hindered utilization of maternal health services in the primary health setting among Hausa women in Nigeria.

Conclusion

This review has added to knowledge on the importance of maternal health by exploring the factors associated with the utilization of maternal health services, thus providing support to researchers and practitioners. It also offers evidence that policymakers can use to develop a culture-sensitive approach to address the issues that hinder Hausa women from utilizing maternal health services, thus leading to healthier pregnancy outcomes for the upcoming generation.

Recommendation

The government should allocate more funds to the primary health centers and ensure that the primary healthcare center is well equipped with basic amenities, including the provision of manpower for better maternal health outcomes and service utilization.

Author Biographies

Victoria Udo Adeleye, Department of Public Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

PhD Student, Department of Public Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

Dr. Lawal Saheed Akinmayowa, Department of Public Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo Ogun State, Nigeria

Senior Lecturer

Department of Public Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo Ogun State, Nigeria

References

Taye BT, Kebede AA, Wondie KY. Intention to use maternal health services and associated factors among women who gave birth at home in rural Sehala Seyemit district: a community-based cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2022 Mar 16;22(1):213.

World Health Organization (WHO), Maternal health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/maternal-health#tab=tab_1. (accessed 22 May 2023)

Opara UC. Women's Experiences of Cultural Beliefs and Practices that Influence Their Use of Maternal Health Services in Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation).

Dogbanya G. Maternal Mortality in Nigeria: Holding the Line in Uncertain Times. Annals of Global Health. 2025 Mar 25;91(1):16.

Neogi SB, Sharma J, Negandhi P, Chauhan M, Reddy S, Sethy G. Risk factors for stillbirths: how much can a responsive health system prevent?. BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2018 Jan 18;18(1):33.

Geltore TE, Anore DL. The Impact of Antenatal Care in. Empowering midwives and obstetric nurses. 2021 Nov 3;107.

World Health Organization (WHO). Postnatal care for Mothers and newborns; Highlights from the World Health Organization’s 2016 Guidelines.

Fagbamigbe AF, Olaseinde O, Setlhare V. Sub-national analysis and determinants of numbers of antenatal care contacts in Nigeria: assessing the compliance with the WHO recommended standard guidelines. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2021 May 25;21(1):402.

Afape AO, Azubuike PC, Ibikunle OO, Barrow A. Prevalence and determinants of skilled birth attendance among young women aged 15–24 years in Northern Nigeria: evidence from multiple indicator cluster survey 2011 to 2021. BMC Public Health. 2024 Sep 11;24(1):2471.

Yoseph A, Teklesilasie W, Guillen-Grima F, Astatkie A. Individual-and community-level determinants of maternal health service utilization in southern Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis. Women's Health. 2023 Dec;19:17455057231218195.

Zhao P, Han X, You L, Zhao Y, Yang L, Liu Y. Maternal health services utilization and maternal mortality in China: a longitudinal study from 2009 to 2016. BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2020 Apr 15;20(1):220.

Abu-Ubaida SA. Prenatal Care in Hausaland: A Comparison of Traditional and Modern Approaches. Grn Int J Apl Med Sci. 2025 Jan;3(1):22-8.

Lateef MA, Kuupiel D, Mchunu GG, Pillay JD. Utilization of antenatal care and skilled birth delivery services in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2024 Apr 3;21(4):440.

Priebe J, Amuasi J, Dartanto T, Mombo-Ngoma G, Guigas M. Factors associated with skilled birth attendance in 37 low-income and middle-income countries: a secondary analysis of nationally representative, individual-level data. The Lancet Global Health. 2024 Jul 1;12(7):e1104-10.

Nuamah GB, Agyei-Baffour P, Mensah KA, Boateng D, Quansah DY, Dobin D, Addai-Donkor K. Access and utilization of maternal healthcare in a rural district in the forest belt of Ghana. BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2019 Jan 7;19(1):6.

Kumarasinghe M, Herath MP, Hills AP, Ahuja KD. Postpartum versus postnatal period: Do the name and duration matter?. PloS one. 2024 Apr 26;19(4):e0300118.

Okonofua F, Ntoimo L, Ogungbangbe J, Anjorin S, Imongan W, Yaya S. Predictors of women’s utilization of primary health care for skilled pregnancy care in rural Nigeria. BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2018 Apr 18;18(1):106.

World Health Organization (WHO). Alma-Ata Declaration. WHO I nternational publications. International Conference on Primary Health Care Alma-ata USSR 1978.

Okoronkwo IL, Onwujekwe OE, Ani FO. The long walk to universal health coverage: patterns of inequities in the use of primary healthcare services in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. BMC Health Services Research. 2014 Mar 21;14(1):132.

National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). Institutionalization of the primary health care planning and reviews in Nigeria: progress and status. Abuja, Nigeria, 2013.

Okonofua F, Ntoimo LF, Yaya S, Igboin B, Solanke O, Ekwo C, Johnson EA, Sombie I, Imongan W. Effect of a multifaceted intervention on the utilisation of primary health for maternal and child health care in rural Nigeria: a quasi-experimental study. BMJ open. 2022 Feb 1;12(2):e049499.

Alenoghena I, Aigbiremolen AO, Abejegah C, Eboreime E. Primary health care in Nigeria: strategies and constraints in implemntation. International Journal of Community Research. 2014 Sep 12;3(3):74-9.

Egbewale, B. E., & Odu, O. O. (2012). Perception and utilization of primary health care services in a semi-urban community in south-western Nigeria. Journal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, 24(1-2), 11-20.

Kassebaum NJ, Barber RM, Bhutta ZA, Dandona L, Gething PW, Hay SI, Kinfu Y, Larson HJ, Liang X, Lim SS, Lopez AD. Global, regional, and national levels of maternal mortality, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. The lancet. 2016 Oct 8;388(10053):1775-812.

Adewuyi EO, Auta A, Khanal V, Bamidele OD, Akuoko CP, Adefemi K, Tapshak SJ, Zhao Y. Prevalence and factors associated with underutilization of antenatal care services in Nigeria: A comparative study of rural and urban residences based on the 2013 Nigeria demographic and health survey. PloS one. 2018 May 21;13(5):e0197324.

Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, Shamseer L, Tetzlaff JM, Akl EA, Brennan SE, Chou R. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. bmj. 2021 Mar 29;372.

Critical Appraisal Skills Program (2018). CASP Qualitative study checklist. https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/. Accessed 13 February 2023

Kolawole BO, Ucho Ejiroghene C, Euba MI, Mercy AO, Adabra MS, & Onyeyili IN. Perceived factors affecting the utilization of maternity services in primary healthcare centre at a rural community in Northcentral, Nigeria. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024; 24(2) 903–914.

Chris OA. Attitude towards access and use of maternal health services at Sabon Gari, Zaria, Kaduna State. Journal of Scientific and Legal Studies, 2025; 1(1), 402-411.

Sayyadi BM, Gajida AU, Garba R, Ibrahim UM. Assessment of maternal health services: a comparative study of urban and rural primary health facilities in Kano State, Northwest Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal. 2021 Mar 30;38(1).

Odetola TD, Salmanu RA. Factors influencing maternal health choices among women of reproductive age in Hausa communities in Ibadan, Nigeria: an exploratory study. Pan African Medical Journal. 2021 Jan 27;38(1).

Sinai I, Azogu O, Dabai SS, Waseem S. Role of men in women’s health service utilisation in northern Nigeria: a qualitative study of women, men and provider perspectives. BMJ open. 2024 Aug 1;14(8):e085758.

Hassan, H. K., & Basirka, I. A. (2021). Healthcare Seeking Behavior and Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services among Women of Reproductive Age in Northwest, Nigeria. Gusau International Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 4(1), 17. Retrieved from https://gijmss.com.ng/index.php/gijmss/article/view/34

Okunlola DA. Women’s and male partners’ socio-demographic and economic characteristics associated with contraceptive decision making in Nigeria. BMC Women's Health. 2022 Nov 16;22(1):450.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner.https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/MDGs/Post2015/SDG_HR_Table.pdf Accessed 26 February 2023

Alhaji MM, Umar L, Yusuf MA, Nyaga R, Singh J, Okafor A, Meyo F, Shayau ZH, Isah ZI, Abubakar M, Umar AI. Supply and demand barriers to PHC maternal care services uptake: qualitative and behavioural insights from Gombe State, Nigeria. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2025 Sep 24;25(1):939.

Airaoje, O. K., Akintayo, A. O., Obada, A. A., & Uchendu, C. E. (2025). Maternal Health Status in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 12(1), 62-79.

Sabo A, Alzoubi MM, Saidu AY, Usman US, Saulawa IM, Al-Mugheed K, Abdelaliem SM, Alabdullah AA. Determinants of Utilization of Antenatal Care Services Among Women of Childbearing Age in Jigawa State, Nigeria. International Journal of Public Health. 2024 Sep 17;69:1607385.