DETERMINANTS OF ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF MATERNAL HEALTH CARE AMONG DISPLACED PERSONS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

This paper examined the influence of socio-demographic characteristics of displaced persons in flood affected States in Nigeria on their access and utilization of maternal health care services during displacement. A sample of 400 women who experienced displacement from their home during the 2012 flood disaster was purposively selected in Niger and Kogi State. The results showed that 98.0% of the displaced persons had health facilities close to their camp and most of these facilities were mainly Health Posts. The odds of a displaced person without education attending Antenatal clinic during displacement was 82.2% less than a displaced person with tertiary education while women with lower parity were less likely to attend antenatal clinic during their displacement. The study concluded that some background characteristics of the displaced persons had great influence on the use of maternal health care services during displacement which helped improve maternal health conditions in displaced setting.