Impact of maternal healthcare services among mothers in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) of Oas, Albay / Princess Stephanie R. Nate

Masters Theses (MAN) - Nursing. Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, 2025.

Includes bibliographic references.

Understanding the impact of maternal healthcare services in such settings is crucial for developing policies and interventions that ensure equitable healthcare access and improve maternal and child health outcomes. This study examines the maternal healthcare services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas of Oas, Albay. The objectives were to assess maternal health conditions, evaluate the impact of maternal healthcare services (antenatal, intranatal, and postnatal care) identify factors affecting service utilization, and analyze the relationship between maternal profiles and healthcare services. The research employed a criteria-based purposive sampling technique, surveying 158 mothers from the coastal GIDAs in Oas, Albay. They were women of reproductive age, with at least two pregnancies in the last five years who had fully utilized available maternal healthcare services. Data was collected using a self-made questionnaire. Findings revealed that most are aged between 36 to 40 years, while majority are married, high school graduates, and currently unemployed. While, most had undergone 3 to 4 deliveries, had 3 to 4 living children, attended prenatal check-ups 3 to 5 times during pregnancy, and predominantly chose public hospitals as their birthing facility. Mothers in GIDA strongly agree on the significant impact of antenatal, intranatal, and postnatal care on maternal healthcare services and is affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors shows a significant relationship with antenatal and postnatal care. The status of employment was found to be related in antenatal care, pregnancy complications in intranatal care, and age in postnatal care. It is recommended to enhance maternal health education programs and a comprehensive care across the antenatal, intranatal, and postnatal periods.