Description of the uterlisation of maternal and child health care services Balaka district Malawi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the utilisation of maternal and child health (MCH) care services by mothers from four selected health facilities in the Balaka District of Malawi. A non- experimental quantitative descriptive research was conducted to determine the knowledge of mothers with regard to MCH services and to identify factors that impact on the utilisation of the MCH care, based on the Andersen’s behavioral model of health services utilization. A combination of proportionate stratified sampling and convenience sampling was used and data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. It was found that mothers know the available services and that a number of factors have an impact on the utilisation of health care services. These relate amongst others to educational level, finances and cultural beliefs.