An Assessment of the Socio-Demographic Factors Affecting Utilization of Focused Antenatal Care at Mbaare Health Centre III Isingiro District, Uganda
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bishop Stuart University
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
Description
An Assessment of the Socio-Demographic Factors Affecting Utilization of FocusedAntenatal Care at Mbaare Health Centre III Isingiro District, Uganda
Keywords
Assessment of factor, utilization, focused antenatal care (FANC), Mbaare Health Centre III,, Isingiro, Uganda