Abstract

Access to antenatal care services promotes safe motherhood and delivery. This study identified factors influencing the utilization of antenatal care services and health facility-based delivery. A cross sectional survey was conducted. Households were enumerated, and a systematic sampling method was deployed. A sample size of 200 was used. Of the 200 HHs, 198 women were interviewed using pretested semi-structured questionnaires. Data was collected on socio-demographics, attendance at the antenatal clinic (ANC), institutional delivery, and reasons for non-utilisation of ANC services. Data analysis was conducted using Epi Info version 3.5.3. The median age of respondents was 29 years (range: 17 - 55). Overall, 192 (97%) women had at least one ANC visit, 116 (58.6%) had ≥ 4 ANC visits and 93 (47.9%) commenced ANC in the second trimester in the last delivery. One hundred and twenty-five (63.1%) had their last delivery at home by a traditional birth attendant (TBA). The independent risk factors for utilization of ANC were partners’ consent (aOR 11.5; 95% CI 1.6-82.3) and knowledge on the importance of ANC (aOR 7.4; 95% CI 1.4-38.6). Pregnant women in a polygamous union were less likely to use to ANC (aOR 0.1; 95% CI 0.0 - 0.4).  Being a woman with a lower educational status was associated with-assisted home delivery (aOR0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.7). Most women utilized ANC services at least once. Community sensitization on the benefits of ANC and institutional delivery should be targeted at women in polygamous unions, with low educational level and without partner’s consent for ANC.

Keywords: Antenatal care, utilization, home delivery, Jos Plateau Nigeria.