Determinants of Antenatal Care Utilization in Ambo Town, Central Ethiopia: Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Antenatal care utilization is an important determinant of high maternal mortality rate and one of the basic components of maternal care on which the life of mothers and babies depend.Thus, the purpose of this study was to understand the current status of utilization of antenatal care services in the study area by elucidating the various factors influencing it.A cross-sectional community based household survey was carried to assess factors determining utilization of antenatal care services. The study was conducted between February and March 2014.  Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted at significance level of p< 0.05. A total of 410 study subjects attended the interview making a response rate of 97.2 %.Around 42.8 % of the women had attended ANC less than four times; and the median frequency of visits was three. In the final multivariate model, educational status, marital status, access to media and income were found to be significant factors affecting the utilization of antenatal care. In conclusion, this study identified that WHO recommended ANC visit coverage is low.Women empowerment through education and income generating activities as well as partner involvement are recommended.

Keywords: ANC, maternal morbidity, maternal mortality, Ambo