Late antenatal care attendance and delivery outcomes in Kapchorwa District, Uganda

Abstract

Kapchorwa is one of the districts of Uganda with a moderate population growth rate. The district is located in the eastern part of the country. The main objectives of the study were to assess the perceptions of people about pregnancy and child birth, to assess the care-seeking practices of women and men related to antenatal care and delivery and to establish factors that influence care seeking practices for antenatal care and delivery among the people in Kapchorwa. The problem statement is Poor utilization of quality maternal services have led to high mortality rate which may be attributed to the attitude and practice of the skilled workers especially the nurses and the midwives. The majority of child births occur at home or hospital in developing countries although most of the home deliveries are done in the absence of skilled professionals. Data was collected using qualitative methodologies. The tools and approaches that were used for data collection were Questionnaires, Interviewing guide, Document review checklist KIIs and FGDs. Data was collected from, ANC providers, women and men of reproductive age (18-49yr). The study established pregnant women and mothers were using ANC alternatives such as TBAs, traditional healers and herbs. As regards ANC late attendance, the study observed that demographic, social -cultural and behavioural barriers like female literacy; poverty, age of women, cultural beliefs, quality of care, availability of ANC alternatives and myths and misconceptions influenced the timing and utilization of ANC services. Perceptions of mothers and men in the area of study affect the decision to utilize antenatal care. The conclusion of the study was that: the intervention measures in place to improve women access and utilization of ANC services mainly address the supply and provision of services and ignore the demand side which makes the whole process fail to improve the situation on ground. The study recommended that, to improve the level of ANC utilization in Kapchorwa, there is need to train health workers on service delivery, community sensitization on the values of ANC, reduction on hospital charges, equipping and stocking of enough drugs.