Assessment of the Knowledge, Perception, Attitude, and Utilization of Reproductive Health Care Services Among Women of Child-Bearing Age in Bwari Area Council

Abstract

Reproductive health is still a very important part of public health and human development. It affects the survival of mothers and children, gender equality, and the health of society as a whole. In Nigeria, especially in peri-urban areas like the Bwari Area Council, women of reproductive age still have health problems that could be avoided because they don’t know enough about them, or don’t use the reproductive health services (RHS) that are available to them. This study evaluated the knowledge, perception, attitude, and utilization of reproductive healthcare services among women of childbearing age in the Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was utilized, sampling 226 women aged 15–49 years through stratified random sampling. Data were gathered via a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed utilizing SPSS version 25. The results showed that 77.5%, representing 155 of the people who answered, had heard of RHS. The most well-known parts were family planning and antenatal care. People generally had a good opinion of reproductive health care, with 87.5% (175) saying the services were helpful. However, 53 person that is 26.5% still thought that family planning leads to promiscuity. Only 53 (26.5%) of respondents had ever used any reproductive health service, which means that use stayed low. They said that cost, distance to facilities, cultural restrictions, and spousal disapproval were all reasons why they didn’t use these services. The chi-square analysis revealed significant correlations between educational level and perception (p = 0.013), income and perception (p = 0.044), and knowledge and utilization (p = 0.002). Women possessing advanced education and elevated income demonstrated a greater propensity to utilize RHS. The study finds that even though people in the Bwari Area Council are generally aware of and have a good opinion of RHS, they don’t use them very often because of economic, cultural, and systemic barriers. It suggests that community health education be improved, services be subsidized, men be encouraged to get involved, and health workers be trained to provide care that is respectful and culturally sensitive. These results help with policy and programmatic efforts to reach Sustainable Development Goal 3.