Evaluation of Maternal and Child Health Record Keeping by Nurses at Primary Health Centres in Nasarawa State

Background: Accurate maternal and child health record keeping is essential for monitoring care quality, informing health policy, and evaluating programme effectiveness in Nigeria's primary health system. Aim: This study evaluated maternal and child health record-keeping practices among nurses at primary health centres in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design employed direct record review of 300 randomly selected maternal and child health cards and questionnaire administration to 75 nurses. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25. Results: Complete antenatal records were found in only 48% of reviewed cards. Growth monitoring records for under-five children had documentation gaps in 55% of cards. Nurses cited multiple competing clinical tasks, incomplete training on record management, and supply shortages of standard MCH cards as primary barriers. Conclusion: Record keeping deficiencies undermine programme monitoring and care continuity in Nigerian primary health care. Nurse training on MCH documentation, pre-printed standardised record forms, and supervisory records audits are essential recommendations. Keywords: maternal and child health, record keeping, primary health care, Nasarawa, nursing documentation.