Interpersonal Communication, Expectant Mothers and Utilization of Antenatal Communication in Anambra State

Abstract

This study investigated the role of interpersonal communication in antenatal care by focusing on the utilisation of antenatal communication among expectant mothers in Anambra State. The research was designed as a survey with a sample of 400 selected from a population of 1,102,032 – being the number of married women within the childbearing age in Anambra State. Questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument. Data analysis was done using simple percentages, Chi-Square Goodness of Fit Test and Pearson’s Product Moment Coefficient. Findings showed that there is high access to antenatal care among expectant mothers in Anambra State and a few of them have difficulty in accessing the care. It was similarly discovered that there is a high understanding of antenatal communication in all its relevant aspects among the mothers and that believability of such communication is equally high among them. The study also found that utilisation of antenatal communication is high among expectant mothers in Anambra State. Hypotheses testing showed that there is no correlation between educational level of expectant mothers and their utilisation of antenatal communication, however, that there is correlation between residency (rural/urban) of expectant mothers and their utilisation of antenatal communication. The study concluded that the fact that antenatal messages are conveyed primarily via interpersonal communication may be a factor in the high understanding, believability and utilization of same among expectant mothers.