Factors influencing frequency and timing of antenatal clinic attendance among women attending post natal care in two government health facilities in Makindye Division, Kampala District

Abstract

Antenatal care is care given to a pregnant woman to ensure safe pregnancy, labour and delivery of her child. Early, timely and frequent antenatal care attendance during pregnancy is important in identifying, preventing and managing risk factors and complications in pregnancy. Objectives The aim of this study was to identifying individual, health services related and social-economic factors influencing the frequency and timing of ANC attendance. Methodology This was a cross sectional study which was conducted in Makindye Division located in Kampala district, employing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The quantitative method used systematic sampling to obtain a representative sample of 384women who were interviewed using interviewer administered questionnaires. The data was analyzed using STATA version 12. For qualitative method, Key informants were interviewed and checklists were used. The data obtained was analyzed by sorting it into themes based on objectives of the study. Results: About a half (49.5%) of the women attended ANC for four or more visits, many (82.3%) attended the third visit, majority (97.1%) attended the second visit and all (100%) of the women attended the 1st visit. Among those who attended 1st visit 2.9% attended once only, 14.9% twice, 32.8% thrice. Generally among those who attended the first visit, majority (53.1%) of women initiated ANC visit late. During the second visit 44.3 % did not attend as per recommended time; in the third visit 21.6 % did not attend as recommended; and among those who attended fourth visit 7.3% did not attend as recommended. The factors that were found to be associated with increased frequency of ANC attendance among women included higher education status and higher monthly family income. Factors that were found to be associated with increased likelihood of attending ANC on time were increased knowledge about ANC, women whose partners’ attitudes were positive towards ANC and being closer to the Health Facility. Conclusion/Recommendations: The frequency of ANC attendance among women in Makindye Division is low and the timing of ANC attendance is also low. Strategies for improvement include improving women’s education status and effective, focused and sustained health education programs about ANC by the Ministry of Health and the District.