Social Determinants of Health Care Service Utilization among Women in Cross River State

Abstract

The article examines social determinants of Health care services utilization among women in Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examine the extent to which family size spousal literacy rate and cultural beliefs have a significant effect of the health wellbeing of women of reproductive age in Central Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria. The article reviewed literature relevant to the variables while the theory of planned behaviour was employed for the study. The study employed a descriptive and cross sectional survey design with a sample of 300 women. The sample was lessened to 280 after field work. The purposive and convenience sampling were employed. The instruments used were questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Data was present numerically and tabular form. Hypotheses were tested with chi-square and Linear regression statistical tools at 0.05 level of significance. From the study’s analysis, findings revealed that family size, spousal literacy level and cultural beliefs are core social determinant affecting women of reproductive age in Central Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study recommends amongst others that government of Cross River State and beyond should make effort to ensure maximum educational attainment opportunities for girl children as well as women of reproductive age in order to expose and enlighten them on those maternal health issues and ways of prevention. It was concluded that Cost of transportation, physical accessibility, language gap, attitude of health care workers/pregnant women, belief system have a strong influence on women of reproductive age