Antenatal care utilisation and associated factors among women of reproductive age in Tanzania
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Date
2023
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The University of Dodoma
Abstract
Antenatal care (ANC) services for pregnant women are an essential service for identification and prevention of possible maternal health risks so as to ensure better birth outcomes. This study was conducted to examine ANC utilisation and associated factors among reproductive age women in Tanzania with consideration of multiple ANC service utilisation. This study used quantitative approach using secondary data from Demographic Health Survey (DHS) database for years 2015/2016. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics, Chi-square and log-binomial model. The results indicated an ANC prevalence of 87.7% with high government hospital(s) accessibility in which nurses were the main ANC attendants. Interestingly, in each of ANC services recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 50% women confirmed to receive each service (except family planning education/method). Likewise, the Chi-square test indicated a significant association between ANC visitation and ANC service utilisation (p<0.05). Model results show that, age group of 45-49 (aPR=0.95, 95% CI 0.88-1.09, p=0.048) is likely to significantly decrease ANC utilisation while primary level of education (aPR=1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.18, p=0.008), secondary level of education (aPR=1.14, 95% CI 1.05-1.23, p=0.001), rich category of wealth index (aPR=1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15, p=0.003), urban residential place (aPR=1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.14, p=0.001) are significantly increase ANC utilisation. On the other hand, secondary level of education (aPR=1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.26, p=0.002), higher level of education (aPR=1.51, 95% CI 1.32-1.71, p=0.001), rich category of wealth index (aPR=1.17, 95% CI 1.09-1.24, p=0.001), private ANC centre (aPR=1.28, 95% CI 1.06-1.54, p=0.009) and religious ANC centre (aPR=1.21, 95% CI 1.04-1.40, p=0.015) were positive and significantly associated with ANC visitation. It can be argued that, education level and income status of a woman play a significant influence on both ANC service utilisation and health centre visitation. Health stakeholders in Tanzania should focus on community sensitization and economic empowerment of women so as they can access quality ANC services. The target should be to not only to make women knowledgeable on maternal health issues but also financially able to pay for ANC services as they make visitation at ANC centre(s).
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Mrema, M. (2023). Antenatal care utilisation and associated factors among women of reproductive age in Tanzania, (Master's Dissertation) The University of Dodoma.