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.