FACTORS INFLUENCING ANTENATAL CLINIC ATTENDANCE AMONG WOMEN SEEKING THE SERVICES IN KISUMU COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Very many women get complications of pregnancy and delivery every day, majorly in developing countries and especially in Africa. These complications often lead to maternal, fetal or neonatal deaths. This should not be the case since most of the complications can be prevented early by early attendance and adherence to Focused Antenatal Care(FANC). This study sets out to identify the factors that influenced attendance of Antenatal Care (ANC) among pregnant women seeking antenatal services at Kisumu County Referral Hospital. The objectives of the study were to explore the gestational age at which women began their clinics, to establish the factors affecting the gestation at which women began their clinics and to explore the attitudes that women have on the services provided. The research was inspired by an observation made by the researcher during his rotation at the Mother Child Health (MCH) department at Kisumu County Referral Hospital, that most women booked their visits late and mostly came when they had complains. The study was cross-sectional using quantitative approach. The sample was determined according to Fisher et al 1995, and selected using convenience sampling technic. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires which were pre-tested on women attending private nursing homes for antenatal services around Wote. Responses from the filled in questionnaires were analyzed then presented in tables graphs and pie charts. The study came to a conclusion that education, income, age, parity, accessibility, intention to get pregnant, marital status and knowledge were the most influential factors to late attendance. The study made many recommendations to improve the situation with the most emphasis on education and community sensitization.