The Utilization of antenatal care and associated factors in Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia :

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Antenatal(ANC) is care given for pregnant women with the purpose of prevention, early detecting of the existing disease and treating health and health-related problems for both mother and unborn baby. The purpose of this study was to assess the utilization of ANC and associated factors in the Gedeo zone.

Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from August 1 to September 30, 2018, including a reproductive age group woman in Gedeo zone Southern Ethiopia.  A stratified, two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. Finally, the study population was selected from the respective source population using a simple random sampling technique (computer-generated random numbers was used). Data were checked, coded and entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. The wealth index was computed using the principal component analysis. Descriptive statistics was employed to display the study findings. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were computed to identify the determinants of utilization ANC.

Results: Utilization of at least one ANC contact was 72.6% (95% CI: 69.3, 75.8).Wealth index highest quartile (rich) and grand multigravida are higher odds to utilize ANC contact. Whereas the husband's education status secondary and above are lower odds of utilization ANC contact.

Conclusion:  ANC utilization in the Gedeo zone is low with other findings. The highest Wealth index quartile (rich) and grand multigravida are higher odds of utilization ANC contact. Whereas  the husband's educational status starting from secondary level and above have lower odds of utilization ANC contact.  Therefore, the government and stakeholders could be empowered the women and families to increase the utilization of ANC contact.