Welfare and child support influence on maternal health and wellbeing among women in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study focused on the relationship between welfare and child support influence on maternal health and wellbeing among women in Nigeria. A total of 250 married women drawn randomly from different groups in Ogun State constituted the sample for the study. Their ages ranged between 25-49 years with a mean age of 37 years, with standard deviation of 8.48. The two instruments used were author-constructed questionnaires with 0.74 and 0.79 as reliability coefficient respectively. The data obtained were analysed using multiple regression, correlation, and chi-square (X2) statistics. The results indicated that significant relationship existed between work requirements (r = 0.282, p.< 0.05), less use of preventive care (r = 0.269; p.< 0.05), and health requirements (r = 0.324; p.< 0.05), but not with bargaining position of mothers. The results also indicated that significant relationship existed between health insurance policy (X2 = 22.01; p.< 0.05), welfare policies and reforms (X2 = 45.83; p.< 0.05 ), but not with health care utilization and health behaviour. The results further indicated that a combination of the independent variable significantly predicted maternal health and wellbeing (F-ratio of 57.241; p.< 0.05 alpha level). Based on the findings, it is recommended that social workers, guidance counsellors, psychologists and others in the helping profession should take cognizance of those variables that have been found to influence maternal health and wellbeing among women.