Level and the associated factors of antenatal care uptake in Nyamira County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Antenatal care is a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative for improving pregnancy outcomes. WHO recommends eight antenatal care contacts.

Objective: Determining the level and factors associated with Antenatal Care (ANC) uptake.

Design: Cross-sectional study design utilizing census to pick participants.

Setting: Nyamira County.

Participants: Expectant women on their first trimester.

Data collection tools: Structured questionnaire

Main outcome measures: Antenatal care four contacts.

Result: The odds of a respondent making all the ANC contacts as required was 0.385 (95% CI 0.297 to 0.499) compared to the odds of 24.219 (95%CI 9.093 to 64.5) not making all the ANC contacts. It was found that 47.4% (CI: 37.6 to 57.95) expectant women completed the required ANC contacts while 29.7 % (CI: 21 to 39.7) never completed. Those in formal employment were 29 times more likely to complete the ANC contacts as compared to those who were unemployed (AOR: 29.212; 95%CI: 1.535 to 555.9; p-value 0.025). Clients who disagreed that the opening times were convenient were 98 % less likely to complete ANC contacts as compared to those who strongly agreed (AOR 0.021; 95%CI: 0.001 to 0.387; p-value 0.009).

Conclusion: Formal employment, increase in the number of children, accessibility and convenient opening hours increased the odds of completing the ANC contacts.