Factors influencing the completion of four antenatal care (ANC) visits among expectant mothers in Central Uganda

Abstract

Pregnancy is one of the important periods in the life of a woman, a family, and society (WHO, 2009) However, for the pregnancy to yield a healthy baby key aspects must be accomplished appropriately and one of such in Antenatal care. The objective of the study was to investigate the predictors of completion of four ANC visits in central Uganda. In the results, about (42%) of the expectant mothers in central Uganda go for ANC less than four visits. The factors that were significantly associated with utilization of recommended ANC visits are; distance to the health facility (OR=8.0), wanting the child status (OR=0.70), caesarian birth for the previous child (OR=1.4), place of delivery (OR=2.1), and religion (OR=0.72) in central Uganda. In particular, ANC visits was less likely among women who were, Pentecostals, who wanted no more children, and those who were no longer staying with the partner. And on the other hand ANC visits was more likely among mothers who had previously given birth by caesarian, walking distance above five kilometers, place of delivery was; government hospital, public health center and private hospital. In light of the findings, the following recommendations are suggested; the need to encourage women to be utilizing ANC services by attending all the four recommended ANC visits throughout the pregnancy period through awareness campaigns at community level so that all women have the same information on attending the all four ANC visits and utilizing the services. The government and other stakeholders should also consider empowering women through job creation and education that can improve their standard of living and be able to afford the small costs attached to the services like transport costs. In addition educating them on their menstrual periods dangers and causes of abortion. Religious leaders should also participate in the sensitization of their followers about the importance of pregnant mothers attending and utilizing the recommended ANC services.