Introduction: This study investigated the influence maternal social capital has on the health and wellbeing of mothers of under-five children in a semi-urban local government area in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study that utilised a three-stage sampling technique was adopted to select 385 respondents from 4 primary health care centres in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data collection was done using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess mothers' social capital, wellbeing and body Mass Index (BMI). Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics at the significant level of P < 0.05.
Results: Benefits derived from participating in social groups such as: useful health information (p = 0.005; p = 0.000) and child care support (p = 0.003; p = 0.002) were significantly associated with wellbeing and health status of mothers respectively.
Conclusions: Mothers should be encouraged to engage in networks that are of healthful benefits to ensure effective knowledge sharing in sustaining promotion of health and wellbeing among mothers of under-five children.
Keywords: Health status; Maternal social capital; Wellbeing.
©2022 Pacini Editore SRL, Pisa, Italy.