Impact Of Maternal Education on Perinatal Outcomes in Delta State, Nigeria

BackgroundPerinatal mortality remains a major public health concern in Nigeria despite global progress in maternal and child health. Maternal education has been identified as a key determinant influencing perinatal outcomes through its effects on health literacy, service utilization, and decision-making. However, limited evidence exists on how maternal education directly impacts perinatal outcomes within the context of Delta State, Nigeria. This study therefore investigated the relationship between maternal education and perinatal outcomes, focusing on perinatal mortality, access to healthcare, and educational interventions that enhance maternal health. MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed. Data were collected from 400 mothers who delivered in selected public and private health facilities across six Local Government Areas in Delta State, alongside secondary data on perinatal outcomes obtained from hospital records. A structured questionnaire and record extraction form were used to gather information on maternal education, healthcare access, and perinatal indicators. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26, applying descriptive statistics, Pearsons correlation, and regression analysis to determine associations between maternal education and perinatal outcomes. ResultsFindings revealed a strong inverse relationship between maternal education and perinatal mortality (r = -0.431, p < 0.01), indicating that mothers with higher education levels experienced fewer stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Similarly, maternal education was significantly associated with reduced low birth weight incidence (r = -0.362, p < 0.01) and improved neonatal survival (r = 0.415, p < 0.01). Regression results showed that maternal education accounted for 23.9% of the variance in perinatal outcomes (R2 = 0.239, p < 0.001). Women with tertiary education were more likely to attend antenatal care (94%), deliver in health facilities (91%), and receive postnatal care (89%) compared to those without formal education. ConclusionThe study concludes that maternal education plays a decisive role in improving perinatal outcomes in Delta State by promoting healthcare utilization, enhancing health literacy, and reducing preventable perinatal deaths. Strengthening womens education through formal schooling and community-based literacy programs is vital for achieving equitable maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The study recommends multisectorial collaboration between education and health authorities to integrate maternal health education into national curricula and community outreach initiatives as part of efforts to attain Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4.