Determinant factors affecting maternal health conditions among pregnant Women in Consolacion, Cebu

One of the vital challenges among pregnant women is to acquire quality maternal health care services. It is essential to improve healthy pregnancy and promote healthy childbirth. Also, to truly understand and increase awareness of the difficulties among pregnant women in rural and urban communities. This study aims to assess the utilization of maternal health services and identify demographic and socio-economic factors that influence maternal conditions among pregnant women in Consolacion, Cebu. It also aims to provide information necessary to improve the provision of maternal health services. This study adopted the social survey design and data from the survey questionnaires conducted on 353 pregnant women in the community attending the antenatal care services of the different barangay health centers. Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to assess Antenatal Care utilization and Principal Component Analysis to determine social and demographic factors affecting Antenatal Care health services among pregnant women. Qualitative analysis of data to provide information necessary to improve maternal health services. The majority of the pregnant women frequently visited the barangay health centers and revealed a high level of ANC use. Most of the respondents belonged to the group of 18 - 26 years old and 27 – 35 years old, were high school graduates, married, unemployed, and Catholics. The study associated sociodemographic factors such as age, religion, education, marital status, and occupation significantly influenced the pregnant women’s use of maternal health care services in the community. In addition, factors such as the availability of health care workers and health facilities, long waiting time, and friendly services of barangay health attendants influenced the utilization of maternal health care services. Overall, there was a high level of ANC utilization among pregnant women. The prevalence of good prenatal care and the desired optimal health care process was perceived among pregnant women who availed themselves of ANC services. Moreover, adequate numbers of well-trained and skilled health professionals and the availability of sufficient equipment and supplies in the health facilities were necessary to improve the provision of health services.