The effect of a depressed economy on the utilisation of maternal health services: the Nigerian experience II

Abstract

This study follows an earlier one on the effect of the depressed Nigerian economy on the utilisation of maternal health services. Since then, there has been an observed and continued deterioration in maternal health service utilisation. The present study compares service utilisation within three time periods: pre-Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) period of 1980-84; 1985-89 and 1990-94, revealing a continued decline in antenatal bookings, obstetric admissions and hospital deliveries with figures well below the pre-SAP levels. Maternal and perinatal morbidity have maintained a disproportionate upward trend. Specifically, perinatal mortality, obstructed labour and anaemia increased by two-, three- and six-fold respectively in the decade between the pre-SAP period and 1990-94 time period. Maternal mortality ratio of 9.3 per 1000 births is a 1.5 increase over pre-SAP level. The findings indicate a continuation over unsafe reproductive life among Nigerian women with bleak prospects into the 21st century and call for urgent change in government policy.