Factors Associated with Utilization of Antenatal Care Services among Women of Child Bearing in Osogbo, Nigeria

Aims: To explore the factors associated with the utilization of ANC services among women of child bearing in Osogbo, Nigeria.

Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods design was used for this study and both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data collection.

Setting: Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government Area, Osogbo, Osun state.

Methodology: Ten in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted among pregnant women while three hundred questionnaires were also administered among women of child bearing age. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square. For the qualitative data, they were transcribed, sorted, categorized and analysed thematically.

Results: Respondents mean age was 28.8 ± 9.3 years, 78.7% were from Yoruba ethnic group and 76.0% were Muslims. The overall mean knowledge score of the respondents was 5.2 ± 2.0 and 90.7% had a poor knowledge of ANC. Few of the IDI respondents mentioned traditional birth attendant and auxiliary nurses as skilled personnel that can offer ANC to pregnant women. Majority (78.0%) of the respondents reportedly have access to ANC services and 78.0% utilised ANC service during the last pregnancy. Most of the qualitative respondents’ reported a current use of ANC and some also reported the use during their previous pregnancy. Reasons adduced for utilization of ANC were influence from family members, fear of maternal mortality and still birth.

Conclusion: The study showed that majority of the respondents had poor knowledge of ANC and many did not know that pregnant women should commence ANC as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. It is therefore recommended that ANC education intervention be carried out to educate women on the importance and the numerous advantages of ANC.