Determinants of antenatal care utilization among women of reproductive age in Uganda: UDHS data analysis

Abstract

The aim of the research was to find the determinants of antenatal care (ANC) among women of reproductive age in Uganda. With the specific objectives as follows; to identify the socio- demographic factors associated with ANC utilization among women of reproductive age in Uganda; to examine the relationship between women’s autonomy and their likelihood of seeking ANC services and lastly to assess regional and rural-urban differences in ANC seeking behavior among Ugandan women. A retrospective secondary data design was employed in this study and data was obtained from the 2016 Uganda health and demographic survey (UDHS) dataset. The study population was the women in the age bracket of 15-49 years (reproductive age bracket). The respondents enumerated for this study were 18,506 women selected from all regions of Uganda. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. Findings from the study showed that majority of the respondents utilized antenatal care. At a bivariate level, age, education level, parity, household wealth, employment status, financial autonomy, region and place of residence and distance to the health facility were found to be significantly associated with ANC utilization. At the multivariate level, it was shown that age of the woman, education level, household wealth, employment status, financial autonomy, and region of residence were significant determinants of ANC utilization. Women who were younger, more educated, employed, from wealthier households, financially autonomous, or residing in the northern region were more likely to attend at least four ANC visits. The study concluded that women who were younger, more educated, employed, from wealthier households, financially autonomous, or residing in the northern region were more likely to attend at least four ANC visits. The study recommended that access to secondary and higher education be expanded for women through scholarships and community-based education programs to enhance ANC service uptake, there should be implementation of economic empowerment programs, such as microfinance, subsidies for maternal health services, to reduce financial barriers to ANC access for women in lower wealth quintiles. In addition, employment opportunities should be created for women, particularly in underserved communities, to enhance their financial independence and ability to access ANC services without influence of their partners or other parties. Furthermore, there should be region-specific interventions, such as increased health worker deployment, construction of better health facilities, to address disparities in ANC utilization in regions with lower utilization rates.