PROVISION, UTILIZATION LEVELS AND TRENDS OF CHILD HEALTH SERVICES IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTRES IN ENUGU URBAN OF ENUGU STATE

PROVISION, UTILIZATION LEVELS AND TRENDS OF CHILD HEALTH SERVICES IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTRES IN ENUGU URBAN OF ENUGU STATE

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at determining the provision, Utilization Levels and Trends of Child Health Services in the Primary Health Care Centres in Enugu Urban. The independent variables investigated were maternal age, parity, occupation and educational attainment. Other socio-economic factor(s) that could influence utilization of CHS were also considered in the study. The study was limited to eight components of CHS availagble in the area of study, while immunization service, which is one component of CHS, was used to trace the trend of CHS. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Four research questions and four hypothesis tested at .05 level of significance were formulated for the study. The population of study was 11,200 mothers of reproductive age on Enugu State and 310 mothers and their babies that utilize CHS in PHC facilities in Enugu Urban. Instrument for data collection were provision and utilization of CHS questionnaire and Trends in utilization of immunization inventory both designed by the investigator. Mean, frequencies, percentages and chi-squire statistical techniques were employed to analyze data collected. The findings of the study are as follows: CHS was available in the three PHC in Enugu Urban. All of the eight components of CHS except exclusive breast-feeding were utilized effectively. The trend of immunization services utilization over the years 2000 – 2007 was full of fluctuations.  Maternal Demographic factors studied: Age, parity, occupation and educational attainment had no statistical relationship to the level of use of available CHS. Availability of medical personnel in the neighborhood 77.15 percent, ignorance of need of CHS, 40.06 percent, cultural belief 25.83 percent, bad attitude of health care provides 18.54 percent and procrastination of immunization/clinic days 13.58 percent were socio-economic factors that affected level of utilization of available CHS.