Utilisation of Midwife-Led Maternity Care and Its Associated Factors among Childbearing Women in Ibadan, Nigeria

Odunayo Omowumi Philips; Margaret Akinwaare

doi:10.25159/2520-5293/21484

Authors

Odunayo Omowumi Philips University College Hospital https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3174-8521
Margaret Akinwaare University of Ibadan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3453-2569

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/21484

Keywords:

midwife-led, maternity care, utilisation, pregnancy, maternal health

Abstract

Background: Midwife-led maternity care emphasises continuity of care, reduced medical intervention, and improved maternal outcomes. Despite global evidence supporting its effectiveness, documentation of its utilisation in Nigeria is limited. This study assessed the utilisation of midwife-led maternity care and identified factors associated with its utilisation among pregnant women and recently delivered mothers receiving skilled care in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative research design was adopted. A total of 260 participants were selected from Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital and the University College Hospital, Ibadan, using a stratified proportionate sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed with SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise utilisation patterns, while logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with utilisation at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of participants was 30 ± 4 years, with the majority being married (244; 93.8%) and having tertiary education (161; 61.9%). More than half of the participants (163; 62.7%) reported receiving midwife-led care during their most recent pregnancy, with utilisation highest during delivery (163; 62.7%) but markedly lower during antenatal (92; 35.4%) and postnatal (32; 12.3%) periods. Based on a composite utilisation score across all care stages, the majority of participants (156; 60%) were classified as having low overall utilisation. Logistic regression analysis revealed that distance to the nearest midwife-led facility (p = 0.002) and family or spousal support (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of utilisation, while cost, quality of care, accessibility, and religion showed no statistically significant association.

Recommendation: Strengthening community-based midwifery services, improving geographical access, and promoting family-inclusive maternal health education are recommended to enhance sustained utilisation of midwife-led maternity care in Ibadan.

Author Biographies

Odunayo Omowumi Philips, University College Hospital

Clinical Nursing Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Margaret Akinwaare, University of Ibadan

Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

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