Determinants of timing and frequency of antenatal care utilization among women in island areas in Uganda

Abstract

Background: Quality antenatal care services is one of the four pillars of safe motherhood initiations and improves the survival and health of mother and neonates. Therefore, there should be more efforts invested in improving utilization of antenatal care services to reduce the risks of maternal and neonatal deaths and promoting safe motherhood. I examined the determinants associated with timing and frequent utilization of antenatal care services among women in Island areas in Uganda. Methods: The study involved quantitative analysis of Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) data of 2016. A total of weighted sample of 128 women in Island areas in Uganda were included in my analyses. I examined the determinants of timing and frequency of antenatal care services among women in Island areas in Uganda. The results are presented using odds ratio (OR), with their respective confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Wealth status and age were statistically significant in influencing timing and level of education was statistically associated with frequency of ANC services. Women aged 35 and above [OR=2.272; CI=1.104-4.676] were more likely to utilize ANC early compared to women aged 24 or less years. The odds of utilizing ANC early were lower among women of middle wealth index [OR=0.544; CI=0.305-0.971] compared to women of poor wealth status. However, the significance was marginal with pvalue =0.040. Women with primary education [OR=0.457; CI=0.262-0.799, p=0.007] were less likely to utilize ANC to at least four times compared to women with no education. Conclusions: The findings could inform policies (e.g., girl child educational small group sensitization sessions and reproductive health seminars) in Uganda on the crucial issue of increasing utilization of antenatal care services among women , increasing male involvement in reproductive health is important to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the sustainable development goal 3.1, emphasizes reducing the MMR to less than 220 per 100, 000 live births for countries with an MMR above the average global level.

Keywords: Timing, Frequency, antenatal care, Island areas and Uganda.