Availability and Readiness of Antenatal Care in the Primary Healthcare Setting in Ogoniland

Abstract

Background: Maternities are always encouraged to attend antenatal clinics (ANC) but unfortunately, in sub-Sahara Africa yearly assessment of the preparedness of the clinics to deliver care is not always carried out. Aims: To assess the availability and readiness of antenatal care in the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Ogoniland, identify shortcomings and recommend measures to improve care Methodology: This was an observational descriptive cross-sectional study that was carried out in Ogoniland, Rivers State, Nigeria between from June 2016 to August 2017. The availability and readiness of antenatal care in the 33 PHCs in Ogoniland were assessed with the aid of 5 WHO domains namely antenatal care services, staff and guidelines, diagnostics, medicine and commodities and equipment. A stepwise multistage cluster sampling and analysis of the WHO tracer items for the 5 domains was carried out. Results: There were 30 functioning Primary Health Centres in Ogoniland. The average percentage of fulfilled tracer items for the 5 domains - antenatal care services, combined 3 domains namely staff and guidelines, diagnostics, medicine and commodities and the fifth (equipment) were 100%, 28.06% and 56.94%respectively. The corresponding figures for the combined 3 domains in Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government areas of Ogoniland were 30.30%, 34.09%, 26.39% and 25% respectively in contrast to the WHO benchmark and Nigerian minimum standard of 100%. Conclusion: The overall substandard indices of the tracer items for the availability and readiness of antenatal care in the PHCs in Ogoni Kingdom underscore the urgent need for improvement of care in the region through funding by the State and Federal Government and public-private partnerships.