Factors associated with antenatal care service utilization among women with children under five years in Sunyani Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundMaternal and neonatal mortality remains a public health burden around the globe most especially in developing countries. A well utilized antenatal care (ANC) is however among the identified interventions to reduce this burden of maternal and neonatal mortality rates. A lot of factors therefore predispose, enable and cause mothers to identify the need to utilize this service (ANC).Aims/objectivesThe aim of this study was to determine factors associated with the utilization of ANC service among postpartum mothers in the Sunyani municipality.MethodsThis study employed descriptive cross-sectional survey design. A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of demographic profile of the respondents, their knowledge about ANC services and the level of ANC utilization. Logistic regression analysis techniques and chi-square were used for the categorical variables to examine the associations between the dependent and independent variables. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Science software (SPSS) version 22.ResultsMajority (87%) of postpartum mothers in the Sunyani municipality attended ANC at least once during their last pregnancy of which 95.6% had four or more visits and 77.1% initiated their ANC attendance within their first trimester. It was further observed that 97.3% of the mothers had good knowledge about ANC. Marital status and ANC knowledge were found to be significantly associated with ANC attendance. Husbands were found to be poorly involved in ANC services in the Sunyani municipality.ConclusionMarital status and ANC knowledge predisposes most mothers to utilize ANC services. Hence, health education activities about ANC services and its importance should be channeled more to areas where ANC utilization is low.