Abstract

Antenatal care (ANC) services play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of pregnant women and their unborn
children, yet disparities exist in their utilization globally. This study investigates the factors influencing ANC service
utilization among pregnant mothers attending Kampala International University Teaching Hospital in Bushenyi
District. A cross-sectional study involving 138 participants was conducted, employing descriptive analysis and
logistic regression. Results revealed that only 40.6% of mothers had good ANC service utilization, with factors such
as post-primary education, manageable cost of services, and knowledge of ANC services significantly associated with
higher utilization rates. Conversely, lack of awareness about when to start ANC services and inadequate knowledge
of ANC services were barriers to utilization. Additionally, multiparous women and those with a primary education
level were less likely to utilize ANC services optimally. These findings underscore the importance of targeted
interventions, including education outreach programs and improved accessibility to ANC services, to enhance
maternal and fetal health outcomes.
Keywords: Antenatal care, Utilisation, Hospital, maternal mortality, Pregnant mother