Background: Most developed countries have made considerable progress in addressing maternal mortality, but it
appears that countries with high maternal mortality burdens like Nigeria have made little progress in improving
maternal health outcomes despite emphasis by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Knowledge about safe
motherhood practices could help reduce pregnancy related health risks. This study examines knowledge of safe
motherhood among women in selected rural communities in northern Nigeria.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in two states (Kaduna and Kano States) within northern
Nigeria. Pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaires were applied by female data collectors to 540 randomly
selected women who had recently delivered within the study site. Chi-square tests were used to determine
possible association between variables during bivariate analysis. Variables significant in the bivariate analysis were
subsequently entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis. The degree of association was estimated by
odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between knowledge of maternal danger signs and independent
socio-demographic as well as obstetric history variables which indicated significance at p< 0.05.
Results: Over 90% of respondents in both states showed poor knowledge of the benefits of health facility delivery
by a skilled birth attendant. More than 80% of respondents in both states displayed poor knowledge of the benefits
of ANC visits. More than half of the respondents across both states had poor knowledge of maternal danger signs.
According to multivariate regression analysis, ever attending school by a respondent increased the likelihood of
knowing maternal danger signs by threefold (OR 2.63, 95% CI: 1.2-5.8) among respondents in Kaduna State. While
attendance at ANC visits during most recent pregnancy increased the likelihood of knowing maternal danger signs
by twofold among respondents in Kano State (OR 2.05, 95% CI: 1.1-3.9) and threefold among respondents in
Kaduna State (OR 3.33, 95% CI: 1.6-7.2).
Conclusion: This study found generally poor knowledge about safe motherhood practices among female
respondents within selected rural communities in northern Nigeria. Knowledge of safe pregnancy practices among
some women in rural communities is strongly associated with attendance at ANC visits, being employed or
acquiring some level of education. Increasing knowledge about safe motherhood practices should translate into
safer pregnancy outcomes and subsequently lead to lower maternal mortality across the developing world.