An Assessment of the Factors Affecting Utilization of Focused Antenatal Care at Mbaare Health Centre III, Isingiro District

Abstract

Background: Focused Antenatal care is an effective health intervention for averting maternal morbidity and mortality. Although there has been progressed improvement in antenatal care and access in Uganda, the use of FANC services remains low. The study was on the assessment of the factors affecting utilization of focused antenatal care at Mbaare Health Centre III Isingiro District. The specific objectives were to; determine socio-demographic, cultural behavioral, and health facility-based factors affecting the utilization of focused antenatal care services. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches for data capture and analysis. Information was captured from 359 women attending ANC using questionnaires and interviews. Data were analyzed using STATA version 13 to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: the study found out main socio-demographic factors associated with the utilization of FANC services included level of education [AOR = 2.624; (95% CI: 1.056 – 6.516); p = 0.038], marital status [AOR = 0.47; (95% CI: 0.275 – 0.804); p = 0.006], and employment [AOR = 1.58; (95% CI: 1.014 – 2.46); p = 0.043] The study also identified tribe [AOR = 1.71; (95% CI: 1.11 – 2.641); p = 0.016] as the main cultural obstacle to FANC service utilization at the Health Centre. The study further identified poor behavior of the health workers [AOR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.302 – 0.851; p = 0.01], long waiting time at the facility [AOR = 2.013; 95% CI: 1.12 – 3.62; p = 0.019] and un-flexible clinical hours [AOR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.52 – 4.851; p = .001] as the main health facility based factors that affect utilization of focused antenatal care services. Conclusion: as a result of the significant results, the study concludes that there are different socio-demographic, cultural behavioral, and health facility-based factors associated with the utilization rate of FANC services at Mbaare Health Centre III Isingiro District. Therefore, the study recommends Ministry of Health increases regular community sensitization campaigns to ensure greater awareness of the importance of ANC services among the vulnerable groups. It also recommends behavior change strategies through behavior change campaigns at the community level to provide a platform for both the health care workers to learn about the perceptions of women to get to know them better and also to use that opportunity to educate women on the benefits of FANC services.