Individual-related factors contributing to late initiation of antenatal care among pregnant mothers at Nsangi Health Centre III, Wakiso District. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71020/5hz7xs25Keywords:
Antenatal care, late initiation, individual-related factors, pregnant mothers, maternal healthAbstract
Background:
Individual-related factors such as maternal knowledge, pregnancy intention, parity, and decision-making influence the timely initiation of antenatal care among pregnant mothers. This study aims to determine the Individual-related factors contributing to late initiation of antenatal care among pregnant mothers at Nsangi Health Centre III.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional study design employing a quantitative research method was used to collect data, 44 respondents were sampled using a convenience sampling technique and a structured questionnaire; then data were sorted, coded, and entered into Microsoft Excel (2022), and the findings were presented in the form of frequency tables, graphs, and pie charts.
Results:
The study findings showed that the largest proportion, 20 (45.5%), of respondents were aged 26–30 years, whereas the smallest proportion, 6 (13.6%), were aged 18–20 years; 24 (54.5%) had attained secondary education, and 2 (4.6%) had never attended school. 29 (65.9%) were married, whereas 5 (11.4%) were unmarried. 34 (77.3%) were unsure whether religious beliefs encouraged ANC attendance, while 3 (6.8%) reported that religious beliefs did not encourage ANC attendance. 39 (88.6%) reported that they decided for themselves when to start ANC, whereas 1 (2.3%) indicated that other family members influenced the decision. 28 (63.6%) correctly stated that ANC should begin in the second or third month of pregnancy, while only 1 (2.3%) believed that ANC should begin at six months or later. Financial constraints were the most commonly reported reason for late initiation of ANC, with 30 (68.2%) respondents citing lack of money, while 14 (31.8%) reported lack of knowledge about when to start ANC.
Conclusion:
Despite high decision-making autonomy and reasonable awareness, some mothers still delayed ANC due to socioeconomic and knowledge-related barriers.
Recommendation:
Nsangi Health Centre III should strengthen health education and community sensitisation on the importance of early ANC initiation.
References
1. Kawungezi, P. C., AkiiBua, D., Aleni, C., Chitayi, M., Niwaha, A., Kazibwe, A., Sunya, E., Mumbere, E. W., Mutesi, C., Tukei, C., Kasangaki, A., & Nakubulwa, S. (2015). Attendance and utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) services: Multi-centre study in upcountry areas of Uganda. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, 5(3), 132–142. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpm.2015.53016
2. Morgan, A. K., Awafo, B. A., Quartey, T., et al. (2022). Husbands’ involvement in antenatal-related care in the Bosomtwe District of Ghana: Inquiry into the facilitators and barriers. Reproductive Health, 19, 216. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01506-7
3. Nisha, M., Alam, N. A., Rahman, A., & Raynes-Greenow, C. H. (2021). Modifiable socio-cultural beliefs and practices influencing early and adequate utilisation of antenatal care in rural Bangladesh: A qualitative study. Midwifery, 93, 102881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2020.102881
4. Okedo-Alex, I. N., Akamike, I. C., Ezeanosike, O. B., & Uneke, C. J. (2019). Determinants of antenatal care utilisation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 9(10), e031890. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031890
5. Ouédraogo, C. T., Vosti, S. A., Wessells, K. R., Arnold, C. D., Faye, M. T., & Hess, S. Y. (2021). Out-of-pocket costs and time spent attending antenatal care services: A case study of pregnant women in selected rural communities in Zinder, Niger. BMC Health Services Research, 21, 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-06027-2
6. Wolde, H. F., Tsegaye, A. T., & Sisay, M. M. (2019). Late initiation of antenatal care and associated factors among pregnant women in Addis Zemen Primary Hospital, South Gondar, Ethiopia. Reproductive Health, 16, 73. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-019-0745-2
7. World Health Organisation. (2016). WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience. World Health Organisation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2017.03.001
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Denis Wabushenda, Hasifa Nansereko, Francisco Ssemuwemba, Immaculate Prosperia Naggulu, Jane Frank Nalubega
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in any of our journals retain the copyright to their work but agree to grant Burundi Publishing the right of first publication. All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. This promotes transparency and fosters wide dissemination of the research.
