Factors Influencing Maternal Health Service Utilization among Women of Childbearing Age in Jos East LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Maternal health services utilization is crucial for ensuring safe pregnancies and reducing maternal mortality.However, factors influencing utilization among women of reproductive age in rural areas of Plateau State remain understudied.Objective: This study aimed to assess the utilization of maternal health services and identify associated factors among women of reproductive age in selected villages of Jos East LGA, Plateau State. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 377 properly completed questionnaires were analyzed.Socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, utilization, and factors influencing utilization were assessed using structured questionnaires.Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed. Results:The age distribution of respondents showed that the majority (65.7%) fell within the 18 to 35 age range.Regarding marital status, most respondents (68.0%) were married.In terms of educational attainment, the highest proportion (35.0%) had completed secondary education.Traders constituted the largest occupational group, accounting for 45.1% of respondents.Furthermore, the majority of respondents reported modest personal and family incomes.The study also found that 65.2% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitudes towards maternal health services.However, there were notable gaps in knowledge, with only 38.4% of respondents aware of danger signs during pregnancy and nutritional requirements.Factors such as age (p < 0.001), marital status (p = 0.001), tribal affiliation (p = 0.005), occupation (p = 0.036), and family income (p = 0.009) were found to significantly influence utilization levels. Conclusion:This study provides valuable insights into the utilization of maternal health services among women of reproductive age in rural Plateau State.Despite generally positive attitudes, addressing knowledge gaps and socio-demographic disparities is essential for improving access to maternal healthcare services.Systemic interventions to enhance service delivery and ensure equitable access are warranted to mitigate challenges identified in this study.