Determinants of Optimal Antenatal Care Services Uptake among Adolescent Mothers in Bomachoge Borabu Subcounty, Kisii County DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v38i1.6

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth complications are leading causes of death among adolescent girls. Due to the high number of teenage pregnancies in Bomachoge Borabu Sub-County, this study aimed to determine adherence levels and factors associated with the uptake of antenatal care services among adolescent mothers in Bomachoge Borabu Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya.

Methods: This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design. Five government health facilities were purposively selected, and 293 adolescent mothers aged between 15 and 19 years randomly sampled. Structured questionnaires were used in the study. Fisher’s exact test of association and multivariable analysis were carried out to determine the association between adherence and various variables.

Results: A majority of the sampled adolescent mothers (88.3 %) had access to at least one Antenatal Care (ANC) visit during their pregnancy. Their mean age was 17.4 (STD± 1.38) years. The majority (96.1 %) did not adhere to optimal ANC uptake, with 25.2 % and 48.8% adhering to the scheduled visits in the 1st and 2nd trimester, respectively. None came for the 3rd trimester. Gestational age at 1st ANC, knowledge of recommended number of ANC visits and mode of reminders to attend scheduled ANC visits were significantly associated in univariable analysis (p <.001). Mothers who sought ANC between 8-12 weeks and 16 weeks, respectively, were 24.5% (p<.00425) and 18.75 % (p<.0228) times more likely to adhere, respectively, compared to those who sought ANC at 4 weeks. Similarly, mothers without knowledge of the recommended number of ANC visits were 89% (p<.006) more likely to adhere compared to those who had the knowledge.

Conclusion: Most adolescent women were at risk of maternal morbidity and mortality due to high levels of non-adherence to optimal ANC uptake, despite having knowledge of the ANC recommendations. Early ANC contact initiation and use of ANC reminders boost adherence to optimal ANC uptake among adolescent mothers.