Factors associated with utilization of antenatal care services by adolescent mothers in Jinja Municipality, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services among adolescent mothers in Jinja municipality, Uganda is still low despite significant efforts to maximize its services. Objectives The general objective of the study was to assess factors associated with utilization of Antenatal care services among adolescent mothers in Jinja Municipality. Methodology This was a cross sectional household survey. A total of 422 adolescent mothers who had delivered within one year preceding survey were randomly selected to participate in the study. Six Key Informant interviews (KI) were held. Quantitative data was analyzed using STATA version 10; multivariate logistic regression was done to determine factors significantly related to ANC utilization among adolescents. Qualitative data was coded, grouped into themes and analyzed manually. Results Antenatal care attendance was low with 72% attending once and 40% the recommended four times while only 47% initiated ANC during the first trimester. Among the users, 96% had HIV test, 87% received Tetanus toxoid (TT) injection, and 75% were given intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPT-p), ferrous/folic supplements and their blood pressure measured. We observed disparities in utilization of maternal health care. Knowledge about ANC and household wealth index was associated with utilization of ANC services. Mothers with the highest knowledge index (AOR 15.41 95% CI = 6.64, 36.32) were more likely to utilize ANC services. Mothers in the high wealth quintile bracket were more likely to utilize ANC services (AOR 2.36 95% CI=1.17, 4.75). xi Qualitative data revealed, stigma, maternal age, lack of knowledge about ANC, lack of social and financial support and poor attitudes of health workers as predictors of low utilization of ANC. Conclusion and recommendations: Predominat factors associated with utilization of ANC among adolescents were household wealth and knowledge about ANC. While stigma, pregnancy uncertainties and lack of family support were the obstacles to utilization of ANC. Basing on the results, there is needed to promote health education programs to promote awareness of the benefits of ANC and improving socioeconomic status of adolescent mothers.