The determinants of antenatal care service utilization among women in rural areas

Abstract

Antenatal care (ANC) coverage is an indicator of access to and use of health care during pregnancy. Antenatal care services are considered to be the key element in the primary health care delivery system of a country, which aims for a healthy society. Over the recent years, the maternal health situation in the country has been staggering despite several changes in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic environment. Antenatal care visits necessitate that medical professionals closely monitor and screen mothers and their babies to identify potential maternal health problems or conditions such as infections, anemia and other complications. Appropriate preventive or treatment services can be provided thus improving health outcomes for both mothers and newborns. The ministry of health clinical guidelines recommends four ANC visits during pregnancy. (The Republic of Uganda, 2016) Although the Ugandan government adopted a primary health care approach to health care service provision in order to ensure equitable access to and utilization of health care services to all communities, the country continues to face challenges regarding access and utilization of health care services especially in the rural communities. Antenatal care which is mostly provided at primary health care level is regarded as the cornerstone for the success of the maternal and child health care program. Therefore, the need to highlight issues of access and utilization of antenatal care services was significant because poor access to and under-utilization of health care services could potentially influence the success of this program and pregnancy outcomes. Timely and quality antenatal care (ANC) is an essential element of universal health coverage and a key determinant for the prevention of maternal mortality.