INFLUENCE OF AGE AND PARITY ON HEALTH STATUS OF MOTHERS ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN UNIVERSITY OF UYO TEACHING HOSPITAL, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA
Roseline E. Mfon & J. O. Okafor
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
E-mail: roselinemfon22@g.mail.com
ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the health status of mothers attending antenatal clinic in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) with respect to age and parity. Two research questions and hypotheses were postulated. Cross-sectional research design was adopted. The population consisted of 517 pregnant mothers, who attended antenatal clinic in UUTH. A sample of 258 pregnant mothers was drawn for the study using systematic random sampling technique. “Mothers’ Health Status Inventory (MHSI)” was used for data collection. The MHSI was validated by three experts. It was subjected to reliability test using Cronbach Alpha. The result yielded a reliability index of .81. Data from 258 completed copies of MHSI were used for analysis. Frequencies and percentages were used to answer research questions, while Chi-square was used to test hypotheses. Results revealed that 36.9% of mothers below 20 years of age had poor health status. They were affected by excessive vomiting (78.6%), fatigue (71.4%), loss of appetite (64.3%), itching (57.1%), headache (57.1%) and heartburn (57.1%). Similarly, 35.9% of mothers with parity 5+ had poor health status. They suffered from fatigue (72.5%), vomiting (62.5%), backache (62.5%), oedema (60.0%), headache (60.0%), and cramps (52.5%). There were significant differences in the health status of mothers attending antenatal clinic in UUTH with respect to their ages and parity. These findings call for intervention in order to promote the health status of mothers.
