CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND DATA ANALYSIS
This section of the research involves the breaking down and ordering of quantitative
information gathered through research. It is an accurate and objective report of findings.
4.1. SECTION A: ANALYSIS OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
AGE NO OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE %
15-20 years 8 5.97%
21-25 years 12 8.96%
26-30 years 40 29.85%
31-35 years 45 33.58%
36 years and above 29 21.64%
TOTAL 134 100%
MARRITAL STATUS NO OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE
Single 20 14.93%
Married 100 74.63%
Divorced 5 3.73%
Widowed 9 6.71%
TOTAL 134 100
EDUCATIONAL LEVEL NO OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE
No formal education 24 17.91%
Primary 27 20.15%
Secondary 35 26.12%
Tertiary 48 35.82%
TOTAL 134 100%
OCCUPATION NO OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE
Unemployed 34 25.37%
Trader 19 14.18%
Civil servant 30 22.39%
Farmer 41 30.59%
Others 10 7.47%
TOTAL 134 100%
RELIGION NO OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE
Christianity 70 52.24%
Islam 49 36.57%
Traditional 15 11.19%
Others - -
TOTAL 134 100%
PARITY NO OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE
0 25 18.66%
1-2 55 41.04%
3-4 34 25.37%
5 and above 20 14.93%
TOTAL 134 100%
GRAVIDITY NO OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE
1-2 25 18.66%
3-4 55 41.04%
4-5 40 29.85%
5+ 14 10.45%
TOTAL 134 100%
GESTATIONAL AGE NO OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE
First trimester 57 42.54%
Second trimester 45 33.58%
Third trimester 32 23.88
TOTAL 134 100%
BASED ON AGE: Those that are within the age range of 15-20 years are 8 respondents
representing 5.97%, those within the age range of 21-25 years are 12 respondents representing
8.96%, those that are within the age range of 26-30 years are 40 respondents representing
29.85%, those within the age range of 31-35 years are 45 respondents representing 33.58%,
those within the age range of 36 years and above are 29 respondents representing 21.64%
BASED ON MARITAL STATUS: those that are single are 20 respondents representing 14.93%,
those that are Married are 100 respondents representing 74.63%, those that are Divorced are 5
respondents representing 3.73%, those that are widowed are 9 respondents representing
6.71%.
BASED ON EDUCATIONAL LEVEL: those that had no formal education are 24 respondents
representing 17.91%, those that attended primary school are 27 respondents representing
20.15%, those that attended secondary school are 35 respondents representing 26.12%, those
that attended tertiary institution are 48 respondents representing 35.82%.
BASED ON OCCUPATION: those that are unemployed are 34 respondents representing 25.37%,
those that are Traders are 19 respondents representing 14.18%, those that are civil servants are
30 respondents representing 22.39%, those that are farmers are 41 respondents representing
30.59%, those that have other occupation are 10 respondents representing 7.47%.
BASED ON RELIGION: those that are christains are 70 respondents representing 52.24%, those
that are Muslim are 49 respondents representing 36.57%, those that are traditional worshipers
are 15 respondents representing 11.19%.
BASED ON PARITY: those who have never given birth before are 25 respondents representing
18.66%, those who have given birth 1-2 times are 55 respondents representing 41.04%, those
who have given birth 3-4 times are 34respondents representing 25.37%, those who have given
birth 5 times and above are 20 respondents representing 14.93%.
BASED ON GRAVIDITY: those who are pregnant for the first time are 25 respondents
representing 18.66%, those who have been pregnant 2-3 times are 55 respondents
representing 41.04%, those who have been pregnant 4-5 times are 40 respondents
representing 29.85% those who have been pregnant 5 times and above are 14 respondents
representing 10.45%.
BASED ON GESTATIONAL AGE: those that are in their first trimester are 57 respondents
representing 42.54%, those that are in their second trimester are 45 respondents representing
33.58%, those that are in their third trimester are 32 respondents representing 23.88%.
4.2. SECTION B: KNOWLEDGE OF SAFE MOTHERHOOD
RESEARCH QUESTION YES PERCENTAGE NO PERCENTAGE
Have you ever heard the 102 76.12% 32 23.88%
term“safe motherhood”?
Do you know that antenatal is 118 88.06% 16 11.94%
important during pregnancy?
Is it necessary for a pregnant 95 70.90% 39 29.10%
woman to attend at least four
antenatal visits?
Can complications during 99 73.88% 35 26.12%
childbirth be reduced by
delivering at a health care
facility?
Is it important for a pregnant 107 79.85%1 27 20.15%
woman to take iron and folic acid
supplements?
Should a woman have a birth 82 61.19% 52 38.81
plan before delivery?
Is postnatal care important for 91 67.91% 43 32.09%
both the mother and the baby?
Can traditional birth attendants 46 34.33% 88 65.67%
manage all pregnancy
complications?
Should pregnant women avoid 97 72.39% 37 27.61%
heavy physical labour?
Is community and family support 84 62.69% 50 37.31%
important for safe motherhood?
RESULTS:
The table above indicate that the respondents generally had a moderate level of knowledge of
safe motherhood. While awareness of some aspects such as antenatal care (88.06%) , the
importance of iron/folic acid supplements (79.85%) , complications during childbirth be
reduced by delivering at a healthcare facility (73.88%), importance of attending atleast 4
Antenatal care visits (70.90%) and importance of pregnant women avoiding heavy physical
labour (72.39%) was high, only about 61–68% were knowledgeable about other crucial areas
like birth planning, postnatal care, and the need for family support.
Alarmingly, 34.33% of respondents believed that traditional birth attendants can manage all
pregnancy complications, showing a significant knowledge gap in recognizing the importance of
skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care.
ANSWERING OF RESEARCH QUESTION ONE
What is the level of knowledge of safe mother hood
The findings revealed that a substantial proportion of respondents were aware of key
components of safe motherhood such as the importance of antenatal care, facility delivery, iron
and folic acid supplementation, and avoidance of heavy physical labour during pregnancy.
However, noticeable knowledge gaps were observed in areas such as birth planning, postnatal
care, and the management of pregnancy complications by skilled health professionals.
Overall, the results indicate that the respondents have a moderate level of knowledge of safe
motherhood, as correct responses were fairly high but not consistent across all essential safe
motherhood components.
4.3. SECTION C : EXTENT OF PRACTICE OF SAFE MOTHER HOOD
TABLE 4C: DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF PRACTICE OF SAFE MOTHER HOOD
RESEARCH NEVER(%) OCCASIONALL OFTEN(%) ALWAYS (%) REMARK
QUESTION Y (%)
I attend antenatal 12 (8.96%) 42 (31.34%) 52 (38.81%) 28 (20.90%) Moderate
clinics during
pregnancy
I take prescribed 20 (14.93%) 46 (34.33%) 45 (33.58%) 23(17.16%) Low
haematinics and
supplements
regularly.
I sleep under an 30 (22.39%) 51 (38.06%) 33 (24.63%) 20 (14.93%) Low
insecticide-treated
mosquito net
I eat balanced meals 18 (13.43%) 50 (37.31%) 44 (32.84%) 22 (16.42%) Low
to maintain good
nutrition.
I practice personal 10 (7.46%) 42 (31.34%) 56 (41.79%) 26 (19.40%) Moderate
hygiene and hand
washing regularly
I plan to deliver in a 22 (16.42%) 46 (34.33%) 41 (30.60%) 25 (18.66%) Low
health facility with
skilled attendants
I follow medical 15 (11.19%) 44 (32.84%) 53 (39.55%) 22 (16.42%) Low
advice given during
antenatal visits
I avoid harmful 24 (17.91%) 50 (37.31%) 40 (29.85%) 20 (14.93%) Low
practices such as self-
medication.
I discuss family 32 (23.88%) 44 (32.84%) 38 (28.36%) 20 (14.93%) Low
planning with my
partner or health
provider.
I go for postnatal 38 (28.36) 48(35.82%) 31 (23.13%) 17 (12.69%) Low
checkup regularly
RESULTS: The results show that most respondents demonstrated a low level of practice of safe
motherhood. Although a fair number of women “often” attend antenatal care and maintain
hygiene, very few “always” practice essential safe motherhood behaviors such as sleeping
under treated mosquito nets, planning delivery in a health facility, or attending postnatal
checkups.
The majority responses clustered around “occasionally” and “often”, indicating inconsistency
and poor adherence to recommended maternal health practices.
ANSWERING OF RESEARCH QUESTION TWO
What is the extent to which pregnant women practice safe mother hood
The findings revealed that respondents practiced some components of safe motherhood, such
as attending antenatal clinics and maintaining personal hygiene, at a moderate level. However,
the practice of other essential components, including regular intake of haematinics, use of
insecticide-treated mosquito nets, balanced nutrition, facility-based delivery, adherence to
medical advice, family planning discussion, and postnatal care attendance, was generally low.
Overall, the results indicate that the level of practice of safe motherhood among the
respondents is low, despite their attendance at antenatal clinics.
4.4. SECTION D: BARRIERS THAT AFFECT THE EFFECTIVE PRACTICE OF SAFE MOTHER HOOD
TABLE 4D: IDENTIFY BARRIERS THAT AFFECT THE EFFECTIVE PRACTICE OF SAFE MOTHER
HOOD
RESEARCH QUESTION OPTION FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
What are the barriers that Lack of money prevents you 78 58.21%
affect effective practice of from going for antenatal
safe motherhood
Distance to health facility 74 55.22%
makes it hard to attend clinics
Miss antenatal visits due to 60 44.78%
transportation difficulties
Spouse or family do not 70 52.24%
support you attending
antenatal care.
Cultural or religious beliefs 72 53.73%
stop you from using hospital
delivery services.
Lack of information or 50 37.31%
education on safe
motherhood practices
Experience rude or unfriendly 76 56.72%
behavior from health workers
Long waiting times at the 80 59.70%
clinic discourage you from
regular visits
Afraid of being scolded or 54 40.30%
judged by health workers
54 40.30%80
59.70%
Feel uncomfortable being 48 35.82%
cared for by male health
workers during pregnancy
RESULTS:
From the table above lack of money with 78 respondents representing 58.21%, distance to
health facility with 74 respondents representing 55.22%, lack of support from family or spouse
with 70 respondents representing 52.24%, cultural or religious beliefs with 72 respondents
representing 53.73%, Rude or unfriendly behaviour from health workers with 76 respondents
representing 56.72% and long waiting times at the clinic with 80 respondents representing
59.70% are the most common barriers .
ANSWERING RESEARCH QUESTION THREE
what are the barriers that affect the effective practice of safemother hood
The findings revealed that respondents experienced several barriers that hinder the effective
practice of safe motherhood. Major barriers identified include financial constraints, long
distance to health facilities, transportation difficulties, lack of spousal or family support, and
cultural or religious beliefs discouraging hospital delivery. Other challenges reported were
negative attitudes of health workers, long waiting times at clinics, fear of being judged by health
workers, inadequate information on safe motherhood practices, and discomfort with being
attended to by male health workers.
Overall, these barriers significantly limit the respondents’ ability to practice safe motherhood
effectively.