Factors Affecting Regular Uptake Of Antenatal Services Among Pregnant Mothers In Their 3rdtrimester At Kisugu Health Center III.

Abstract

Background According to WHO, a pregnant mother should have attended antenatal care (ANC) at least four times by their 3rd trimester (WHO, 2015). This implies at least one visit in the 1st trimester, 2nd visit in the second trimester and 2 visits in the 3rd trimester. However, during early 3rd trimester, if a woman has made her 3rd visit, it will still be a regular attendance in this study. Objective To assess the factors affecting regular uptake of antenatal services among mothers in their 3rd trimester at Kisugu Health Center III between March and April 2018. Materials and methods The study adopted a cross sectional study design in which quantitative data collection and analysis methods were used to select respondents. The tools that were used for data collection were questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Data was collected from ANC clients in their 3rd trimester and ANC cards. Results The findings showed that regular uptake of antenatal care was 53%. According to this study, marital status, husband involvement, knowledge about ANC contents showed a significant association with regular ANC uptake. However, other factors like age of the mother, gr avidity, trimester of starting ANC, and health facility related factors did not show any significant association with ANC regular uptake. Conclusion and Recommendations The conclusion of the study was that regular uptake of ANC was effective if there is husband involvement and knowledge about ANC components. The study therefore recommended, that improving regular ANC uptake would be through encouraging husband involvement, sensitization about the ANC components, maintaining the privacy of the pregnant mothers, upholding the general cleanliness of Kisugu health center 111 and finally making ANC services accessible and affordable within the community.