Hospital related factors influencing utilization of preconception care among women seeking antenatal care at Machakos Level 5 hospital, Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Objective: To assess hospital related factors influencing utilization of preconception care among women seeking antenatal services in Machakos level 5 hospital.

Design: Analytical cross sectional study design was used.

Setting: Antenatal Clinic at Machakos Level 5 Hospital, Kenya.

Subjects: A sample of 233 pregnant women from 478 pregnant women who attended antenatal clinic per month were randomly selected. Systemic sampling was used, where every second client was requested to take part in the study, upon being subjected to inclusion criteria. Whenever the second client was not legible to take part, the next client was considered. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data.

Results: Level of utilization of preconception care was 14.6%. Respondents who were formally employed were 5.7 times more likely to utilize preconception care, compared to their unemployed counterparts (p = 0.004, OR =5.707). Those who paid for preconception care fee were 3.758 times more likely to utilize preconception care (P<0.009, OR= 3.758, 95%CI (2.412, 5.103).

Conclusion: This study concluded that level of utilization of preconception care was low (14.6%). Factors that affected utilization of preconception care were employment status of respondents and ability of the respondents to pay for preconception care.