Timing and quality of antenatal care among adolescent mothers in Luuka district, Uganda
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Square
Abstract
Effective Antenatal Care (ANC) is dependent on timely initiation of the first visit and quality care to
mitigate risk factors in pregnancy. However, most adolescent mothers attend their first visit later than the
recommended time while others do not receive all the required components of care. This study sought to
examine the predictors associated with timing of the first ANC visit and receipt of the recommended
components of care among adolescent mothers in Luuka district.
Methods
The study was carried out between March and May 2021 among 248 adolescent mothers aged 10-19
years from Luuka district, who were either pregnant or postpartum with infants aged 0-3 months. Data
analyses were done using descriptive techniques, Pearson chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests of
independence were done at bivariate level and thereafter binary logistic regression.
Results
Findings showed that majority of the adolescent mothers (82%) attended ANC for their most recent
pregnancy or birth. Still, only 47% had timely ANC visit while 36% had all the recommended components
of care. Having knowledge on dangers signs in pregnancy was a determinant of both receipt of all
components of ANC (AOR = 6.57, 95%CI = 1.75 - 24.65) and early timing of the first visit (AOR = 0.35,
95%CI = 0.12 – 0.97). Further, the odds of making the first visit after the first trimester were highest
among adolescent mothers who had ever given birth (AOR = 3.67, 95%CI:1.68 - 8.02) and those without
independent decisions on health care (AOR = 3.45, 95%CI:1.04 - 11.42).
Conclusion
Knowledge of obstetric pregnancy danger signs, having ever given birth and decision making on health
care seeking are pivotal determinants of adolescent mothers’ timing of the first ANC visit and uptake of
the recommended components of care. We therefore recommend the need to sensitize adolescent
mothers through different channels of media on the benefits of ANC. Also, ensuring accessibility and
affordability of these services among health facilities will significantly increase the uptake and early
timing of the antenatal care services among adolescent mothers in rural communities.
Description
Keywords
Antenatal care, ANC Timing, ANC Components, Luuka district, Adolescent mothers
Citation
Kayemba, V., Kabagenyi, A., Ndugga, P., Wasswa, R., & Waiswa, P. (2022). Timing and quality of antenatal care among adolescent mothers in Luuka district, Uganda. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1197816/v1