Determinants of Antenatal Care Service utilization among Women (15-49): A Case Study of Bunyoro Region, Uganda

Abstract

Antenatal health care services include all forms of assistances provided by skilled health care professionals to pregnant women and adolescent girls in order to ensure the best health conditions for both mother and baby throughout the pregnancy period. Uganda like any other sub-Saharan African country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates (343 deaths/100,000 live births), neonatal morbidity and mortality ratios. According to the UDHS 2016, only 92.3% of the pregnant mothers in Bunyoro region received ANC from a skilled health provider.Thus putting them at a risk of high infant and maternal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the determinants of antenatal care service utilization among women aged 15-49 in Bunyoro region, Uganda. This study therefore utilized secondary data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016 with focus on the women within the reproductive age group (15-49) in Bunyoro region. The statistical analyses used in this study included the univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. This study revealed that antenatal care service utilization in Bunyoro region was 259(44.5%). However, from those who attended,323(55.5%) had less than four visits. Maternal and husband’s education level, place of residence, occupation and wealth index of the mother were the major predictors of antenatal care service utilization. Conclusively, the study findings reveal that antenatal care service utilization is low in Bunyoro region, more than half of the mothers did not have the minimum number of antenatal care visits recommended by the world health organization. Therefore, promoting information, education and communication in the community is recommended to favorably affect the major predictors of antenatal care service utilization. So as to ensure that there is maternal and child health improvement pathways in Bunyoro region.