Factors Affecting Appropriate Antenatal Care Attendance Among Women in Uganda: a case of Kabarole District

Abstract

Background: Antenatal care is one of the components of safe motherhood with aim to prevent maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. In Uganda, at least four antenatal visits are recommended during pregnancy. However, despite over 90 percent attendance of at least one antenatal care, many of women are not receiving such care as per recommend frequency. This study aimed to examine factors that affect appropriate antenatal care attendance in Uganda in a case study of Kabarole district Methods: A cross-sectional institutional-based study was carried out in Kabarole District in western Uganda during October-November 2016. The study was conducted in four primary health centers and one hospital. The respondents were women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years), who had delivered their last child within one year from the period of data collection. A total of 425 out of 430 women responded fully to our interviewer administered structured questionnaire. SPSS software was used to generate descriptive statistics and cross tabulations and chi-square test were performed to explore associations between variables. Results: A total of 424 women were investigated with majority being in the age group 20-34 years (mean age, 30.5 ± 5.9). Prevalence of appropriate ANC attendance was 63.9%. 282(66.5%) of the women had correct knowledge on the minimum recommend ANC attendance. Parity (p value 0.000), family size (p value 0.000) and tribe (p value 0.005) were significantly associated with appropriate ANC attendance. The main predictors for antenatal care visits were marital status, occupation of the mother, gravidity and parity. Most of respondents had high knowledge level (over 90 %) about basic information and danger signs during pregnancy; however, knowledge was not significantly associated with appropriate antenatal care visits. Conclusion: This study indicated that rate of appropriate antenatal care attendance in Kabarole district was higher than the national average. However, 3 out of 5 women do not initiate antenatal care attendance within the recommended first trimester of the pregnancy. Further still, the rate of appropriate antenatal care attendance is below the global average. Government and institutions should consider health programs that will be responsive to the social, cultural and economic need of the women. Additionally, emphasis should be geared towards improving the quality of services offered at the health facilities