Determinants of Late Antenatal Clinic Attendance Among Women of Reproductive Age (15-49) in Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital

Abstract

The decreasing number of expectant women seeking ANC services at twenty weeks and after is concerning, because this is the time when the expectant women should be getting the most out of their antenatal care to ensure a safe delivery. The percentage of expectant women who visit ANC clinic appointments at 10 weeks or less in Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital has risen from 24 percent in 2015 to 42 percent in 2021 on average. The percentage of expectant mothers who showed up for their 20-week check-up appointment declined from 11% to 8 percent during the same period. This study sought to establish the predictors of late ANC clinic attendance among women of child bearing age (15-49) in Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, Nairobi County. The specific objectives are: to determine the accessibility of the ANC services among women of child bearing age (15-49) in Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, Nairobi County. Also to establish the socio-economic determinants for late antenatal clinic attendance among women of reproductive age (15-49) in Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study utilized secondary data obtained from Kenya District Health Information System (KDHIS-II) database. Binary regression model (probit) was used in estimation. Data collected was analyzed using STATA version 15. The findings revealed that approximately 76 percent of women aged between 15 and 49 years in Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital were recorded attending ANC clinic late. Majority of the clients that is 73 percent are located less tha 5 kilometres (5kms) away from the nearby health facility implying ease of accessibility. Further, age of the woman, education levels, employment status as well as awareness on ANC services were statistically significantly and negatively associated with reduced likelihood of late ANC attendance. On the other hand, age squared and marital status had a significant but positively related with increased probability of late antenatal care clinic visit among women of reproductive age in Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital. Based on the results, the research suggests increased sensitization on timely ANC attendance across all age groups. Also there is need for women empowerment and further training or coaching through adhoc support groups or seminars and workshops on the importance of ANC attendance in time. Lastly, there is need for empowerment via public - private partnerships to promote timely adherence to ANC clinics among women of all age set.