Integrating maternal health services into a health insurance scheme: effect on healthcare delivery.
BACKGROUND
Healthcare delivery is a foremost important basic social services.


OBJECTIVE
This study reviews the influence of the integration of maternal health services into the Anambra State of Nigeria government-community health care financing scheme on health service delivery at primary health care level in Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.


METHODS
A descriptive, cross-sectional study with an intervention component, conducted amongst 120 women of reproductive age group at Obiuno health centre, Igboukwu.


RESULTS
Mean age of respondents was 30.5 +/- 6.0 years with majority, 44 (36.7%), in the age range of 26-30 years. Almost half, forty eight (40%), of the participants are of post secondary educational status; 60 (50%) are civil servants. Utilization of maternal health services % antenatal and delivery services, were significantly better at the late intervention period when compared to the early intervention period. Quality of service from clients' perspective also showed significant improvement at the late intervention period. There was an overall greater availability of maternal health service equipments, drugs and consumables, and medical records in the health facility later during the scheme.


CONCLUSIONS
Community based health insurance schemes that focus on maternal health services ensure the provision of adequate funds for maternal health services that cover a great proportion of the rural communities.
Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria. drechenduadinma@yahoo.com
Echendu D
ED
Adinma
Boniface A N
BA
Nwakoby
Brian-Davies J I
BD
Adinma
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000191:economics*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics*; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012424:Rural Population; D055815:Young Adult