Abstract:
BACKGROUND: worldwide, about half a million women die every year in connection with pregnancy and
childbirth, 99% of which occurs in low and middle income countries. Antenatal care provides an opportunity to
deliver different services which are important in improving maternal survival. The objective of this study was to
assess antenatal care utilization and factors that affect it in Yem Special Woreda, South Western Ethiopia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 2008 among 651 women who have had a birth 12
months prior to the survey. A pre-tested structured questionnaire consisting of information on sociodemographics, health service related factors and personal barriers were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS
for windows version 16.0. Frequency distributions, cross tabulations, crude and adjusted Odds ratios and
confidence intervals were performed.
RESULT: Data on antenatal care were collected from 627 mothers making a response rate of 96.3%. One
hundred seventy nine (28.5%) women were reported to have received antenatal care at least once during their
last pregnancy. Of these, 88 (49.2%) women made the first antenatal care visit during their second trimester,
while 52(29.1%) had four or more antenatal care follow ups during their last pregnancy. In the logistic
regression analyses, antenatal care users were found to be more likely to be educated (OR= 6.81, 95% CI; 3.76,
12.33), and live in less than 60 minutes walk from health facilities (OR= 6.73,95 CI; 4.30, 10.56). Moreover,
illness experienced during past pregnancy (OR=2.57, 95%CI; 1.75, 3.78), husband’s approval (OR=7.32,
95%CI; 4.69, 11.42) and planned last pregnancy (OR=2.38 95% CI; 1.52, 3.71) were among the factors
associated with the utilization of antenatal care.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated low antenatal care service utilization. Even from those who had
antenatal care service, majority started the service lately and received incomplete service. The utilization of
antenatal care was influenced by various socio-demographic, personal and health service related factors.
Hence, there is a need to increase the availability and accessibility of antenatal care to all women particularly
to rural women, and increase the community’s awareness about antenatal care through IEC activities.
