Factors associated with the utilization of maternal health care in Uganda : evidence from Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2016

Abstract

This study assessed the factors associated with the utilization of maternal health care services in Uganda. Women aged 15-49 years in Uganda were examined in the study to find out their ability to utilize maternal health care services. Secondary data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS), 2016 was used to conduct the study. The secondary data were analyzed using STATA 14 statistical software package to provide findings. The analysis was done at three levels, that is, descriptive statistics (frequencies) at the Univariate level, Pearson’s Chi-Square test of independence at the bivariate level, and multivariate probit regression was run at the multivariate level. In addition to the probit regression, marginal effects of the probit model were reported to provide a clear picture of the factors associated with the utilization of maternal health care services in Uganda. Majority of the women in Uganda could not time antenatal care visits (66.58%, n = 976), implying low utilization of maternal health care services in the country. Variables that were significant (p < 0.05) at the bivariate level were considered to influence the utilization of maternal health care services in Uganda; these variables that were statistically significant at the third level include maternal education and the Bugisu region. From the multivariate probit regression model and marginal effects of the study, it is clearly postulated that This study shows that women without education, poor women, and those who are not married are less likely to seek maternal health care services compared to their counterparts. Findings from the study also indicate that access to skilled assistance during delivery by women increases their chances of utilizing maternal health care services. It was found out that mothers between30-34 are most likely to utilize maternal health care services.