Assessment of maternal health service readiness and availability in primary-level facilities in Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess maternal health service readiness and availability in primary-level facilities in Nigeria.

Methodology: A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Jigawa, Lagos, and Oyo states in Nigeria. We included Kiyawa and Dutse LGAs in Jigawa state, Lagelu and Ibadan Southwest LGAs in Oyo State and Ikorodu LGA in Lagos State. In total, we included 43 PHCs and 13 TBAs across all 3 states. The WHO Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) form was used as the model for the data collection instrument.

Result: According to our data, there is a significant shortage of healthcare human resources across PHCs in the 3 states. Most PHCs and TBAs in the three states offer prenatal care services and prescribe iron supplements and folic acid. Additionally, most of the facilities lack essential equipment. Moreover, most TBAs in this study lack Infection, Prevention, and Control (IPC) materials, and they also do not offer intermittent preventive therapy (IPTp) for malaria and tetanus toxoids to their clients.

Conclusion: Following the WHO health system building blocks, to construct composite units across different domains, this study revealed that the Nigerian government must collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure provision of a minimum standard of care in terms of health infrastructure, human resources for health and service provision at all PHCs across the country.