Factors associated with low utilization of antenatal care services among expectant mothers.

Abstract

The purpose of the study which was carried out, was to find out factors associated with the utilization of antenatal care services among expectant mothers, The objectives of the study were to assess the importance of antenatal care services to expectant mothers, to determine the demographic, social and cultural factors that may contribute to low utilisation of Antenatal Care Services and to assess ways of improving the provision of antenatal care services to expectant mothers. It was limited to a period of three (3) years, that is 2012-2015 and the respondents were women within the age 18 to 45 because it is the childbearing age. Budadiiri is one of the remote areas in Sironko district with a high population growth rate. The district is `located in the Eastern part of the country. Data was collected using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies and the tools that were used for data collection were questionnaire, in-depth interviews and FGDs. Data was collected from ANC clients, ANC providers and women who had given birth six months before the study. It was also observed that demographic, social -cultural and behavioral barriers like female literacy; poverty, age of women, cultural beliefs, quality of care, availability of ANC alternatives and myths influenced the utilization of ANC services. The conclusions of the study was that; there is need for women to be sensitized about the importance of attending antenatal care services and this study recommends that in order to improve the level of antenatal care utilization in Budadiiri, there is need to train health workers on service delivery, community sensitization on the values of ANC and a reduction on hospital/clinic charges.