Determinants Affecting the Utilization of Antenatal Care Services by Women of Childbearing Age Visiting the Antenatal Care Clinic at Kyabugimbi Health Centre IV, Bushenyi District

This research analyzed the utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services among pregnant women at Kyabugimbi Health Centre IV in Bushenyi District, Uganda. The study found that a significant percentage of women attended their first ANC visit late in their pregnancy, with only 20% receiving ANC within the recommended 0-3 months. A majority of the women had never heard about ANC or attended it in previous pregnancies. While 44% of the women attended ANC four or more times, indicating awareness of the recommended ANC frequency, 74% did not seek ANC at all. Most of the women with unplanned pregnancies did not utilize ANC services. The study concluded that 51.9% of pregnant women experienced delayed antenatal care, with 50.6% presenting between 4-6 months of gestation and 1.3% presenting at 7-9 months. These findings highlight the need for improved awareness and access to ANC services.