Religion as a Social Determinant of Maternal Health Care Service Utilisation in Nigeria

  • Bola L Solanke Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
  • Olusegun A Oladosu Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
  • Ambrose Akinlo Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
  • Samson O Olanisebe Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Keywords: Religion, Maternal, Health care, Utilisation, Women, Social determinant

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between religious affiliation and utilisation of maternal health care services using 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data. The outcome variable is utilisation of maternal health care service measured by antenatal care and place of delivery. The explanatory variables were religion and three purposively selected social determinants of health, namely the social gradient, work condition and social exclusion. The chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression were applied. Result show that 50.7% had the recommended 4 or more antenatal care visits; 23.4% and 13.5% respectively utilise public and private sector facilities for their most recent child delivery. The relative risk of having 4 or more antenatal visits reduce by a factor of 0.7863 for Muslim women (p<0.05), and increase by a factor of 5.3806 for women in higher social ladder (p<0.01). Religion should be integrated into the social determinants of health framework. 

Author Biographies

Bola L Solanke, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Department of Demography and Social Statistics
Olusegun A Oladosu, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Department of Religious Studies
Ambrose Akinlo, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Department of Demography and Social Statistics
Samson O Olanisebe, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Department of Religious Studies
Published
2015-12-21
Section
Articles