Antenatal Care Utilization Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic at Kakanju Health Centre III Bushenyi District

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the factors influencing the utilization of antenatal care (ANC) among pregnant women aged 18-40 attending ANC clinics at Kakanju Health Centre III in Bushenyi District. The research used a descriptive cross-sectional study design, with a sample size of 384 respondents. The results showed that 86.2% of participants had adequate knowledge about ANC utilization, while 13.8% had inadequate knowledge. Women aged 15-20 years, house wives, maids, and shop attendants were also more likely to have inadequate knowledge. Women without education were six times more likely to have inadequate knowledge about ANC utilization. Women in their first pregnancy were three times more likely to have inadequate knowledge. Women with a history of previous stillbirth were three times more likely to have inadequate knowledge. Women with a history of previous cesarean section were two times more likely to have adequate knowledge about ANC utilization. Age, occupation, marital status, and education level were found to be statistically significantly associated with knowledge regarding ANC utilization. Keywords: ANC utilization, Pregnant women, Cesarean section, Stillbirth, ANC services.