Women’s Autonomy and Birth Spacing; Implications for Reproductive Health in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of women’s autonomy and birth spacing on reproductive health in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The study examined the attitude of women to safer sex having in mind the risk of maternal mortality and morbidity. The data used for the study were collected through an interview schedule in which 250 female respondents were randomly interviewed from Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Using simple percentage and statistical methods it was observed that traditional method of birth delivery and skipping anti-natal services does no good for pregnant women and also their ability to decide on their own to take their children and themselves to the hospital for medical attention. All this reduce maternal, mortality and morbidity, hence having an influence on reproductive health. It is observed that 73.2% of respondents who are married and that 59.7% of them can take their children for medication on their own without the influence of their husbands. One interesting aspect of the study is the influencing of modernization such as the dissemination of information on the importance of birth-spacing on reproductive health in the radio and television. Despite the campaigns, 57.7% had pregnancy complications. This shows a bad situation that a lot has to be done on policy making to have its impact on the population.