Accessibility and Utilisation of Antenatal Care (ANC) Services Among Pregnant Mothers Attending Antenatal Clinics. Case study: Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Mbale, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: World Health Organization (WHO) passed a resolution that ANC is a basic human right and all pregnant women should receive irrespective of age, parity, race, faith of the pregnant women and many interventions have been put in place to ensure that worldwide and nationwide. ANC is a necessary component of maternal health in order to identify complications and danger signs during pregnancy. Despite the interventions that have been undertaken to truncate the maternal and infant mortality rates through ensuring improved access by women to reproductive health care services in Uganda; the effectiveness of the interventions has not been observed thus a study on accessibility and utilisation of ANC services was conducted at ANC clinic of MRRH, Mbale district. Objectives: The general objective of the study was to establish the factors influencing the accessibility and utilization of ANC services among pregnant mothers attending ANC clinic in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. Specific objectives were: to determine the level of utilization of ANC services among pregnant mothers attending ANC clinic in MRRH, to assess the quality of ANC services provided to pregnant mothers attending ANC clinic in MRRH and to establish mother's attitudes and suggestions on improving ANC services in MRRH, Mbale district. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Ninety-seven (97) questionnaires were self-administered to the mothers from the ANC clinic during their visit. While three (3) interviews were held with the health workers. Data were presented and analyzed in tables and figures, interpreted using frequencies, percentages. Results: Many of the mothers were between age of 20-24 43(44.3%), cohabiting mothers were the majority to be interviewed 47(48%). Those with gravid 5 were 5 (5%), 43(44%) had attained secondary education, 40% were peasants, 47(48%) had attended 2 visits, 76(78%) were aware of the importance of ANC early in pregnancy, 68 (70%) said opening days were convenient for them, 83(86%) didn't incur costs while utilizing ANC services. 93(96%) rated health workers as rude. Among the mothers interviewed 67(69%) received health education, 92(95%) received drugs for prevention of Malaria and Anaemia, 17(18%) were dewormed, 41(42%) underwent screening for hypertension, HIV infection, syphilis. Conclusions: Factors that were found to be associated with the utilization of ANC services included. Age, marital status, parity, gravidity, tribe, educational level, income level status of pregnant mothers, awareness about ANC services, distance, health facility inadequacy and ANC provider behaviors. Recommendations: The researchers recommend the following; recruitment of more health workers, more emphasis on health education and extension of more ANC services to the remote areas by the Ministry of Health to increase the availability of the services and increase their awareness about ANC services. Mothers are recommended to seek services immediately they realize they are pregnant.