Factors associated with utilization of at least eight antenatal care contacts among pregnant women delivering at Kawempe National Referral Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Antenatal care (ANC) presents a unique and lifesaving opportunity for health promotion, disease prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of illnesses in pregnancy using evidence-based practices. While WHO recommends eight ANC contacts, it is not clear if guidelines are followed in the low resource limited settings like Uganda. Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with utilization of at least eight antenatal care contacts among pregnant women aged 15-49 delivering at Kawempe National Referral Hospital. Methods: A facility based cross sectional study was conducted among 193 participants using an interviewer administered questionnaire. The outcome variable was utilization of at least eight ANC contacts determined from ANC records and independent variables was predisposing characteristics, enabling resources and need factors. Statistical analysis plan: Descriptive statistics and measures of associations are presented. For objective one, the prevalence was computed as a proportion of pregnant women who report having had at least eight ANC contacts out of all the total number of pregnant women. The logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with utilization of at least eight ANC contacts. P values of 12 weeks. Majority of participants received information through the media (Tv and radios) but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study showed low utilization of at least eight ANC contacts. Marital status and gestation age at initiation of ANC were positively associated with ANC utilization. Recommendation: The ANC service providers need to conduct community/mass media awareness and sensitization about ANC utilization and also do targeted counseling of the pregnant women in order to address the different factors that might discourage the utilization of early ANC contacts