PERCEIVED RISK OF COVID-19 AND ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES AMONG SLUM DWELLING WOMEN IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Temisola OYELAKIN, Early Childhood Development Project
OLUFEMI ADETUTU, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Jacob W. Mobolaji, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Antenatal care remains vital in reducing pregnancy and childbirth complications and enhances safe delivery. However, COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare services use by pregnant women. In 2020, about 362,700 women missed antenatal care due to COVID-19 culminating to increased maternal mortality. This study investigated the influence of perceived risk of COVID-19 on ANC among slum-dwelling women. This is a retrospective study that employed cross-sectional research design and quantitative methods for data collection. A multistage sampling technique aided the selection of eligible women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in urban slums. Descriptive and inferential statistics were adopted with analysis at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels. 66% of the respondents had a high perception of contracting the virus. Also, 91% visited the health facility for ANC before and during COVID-19, though number of women with 8 or more ANC visits declined from 77% before to 67% during the COVID. Perceived risk of COVID-19 showed significance with ANC use but not with number of ANC visit. Net of other sociodemographic determinants, perceived risk of COVID-19 was significantly related to antenatal attendance. To sustain ANC uptake, pregnant women should be reassured and encouraged to continue healthcare visits during health crises like COVID-19.

Keywords: Population, Shocks and Pandemics, Fertility, Health and Morbidity, Internal Migration and Urbanization

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