Abstract

Appropriate antenatal care (ANC) is key for the health of the mother and child. Globally,
approximately 515,000 women die from pregnancy-related complications each year. It has been
estimated that 25 percent of maternal deaths occur during pregnancy, with variability between
countries depending on the prevalence of unsafe abortion, violence, and disease in the area.
This study focused on the relationship between attendance of ANC and gestational or labor
complications among mothers who delivered at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital (FPRRH).
A cross-sectional study was conducted whereby quantitative data was acquired using
participant self-administered questionnaires, investigator administered questionnaires. A total
of 323 mothers were randomly sampled from the population using the convenience sampling
technique. Results are depicted in 95% Confidence Intervals, Odd Ratios (OR), and P-values; all
calculated using Binary Logistic Regression with Pearson’s correlation in the Statistical Package
for Social Sciences. Graphical representation was done by Microsoft Excel Software. A total of
323 mothers were studied with a response rate of 91.02%. Results based on 294 participants
show that 70(23.7%) of the mothers studied were in the age range of 15-25 years, majorly
170(57.8%) were 26-35 years, 54(18.5%) were 36-45 years; of these 33(11.1%) were single,
171(58.2%) were married, 55(18.6%) were separated and 36(12 %) were widows; 39(13.2%)
attained primary level of education, 117(39.8%) secondary, 88(29.8%) tertiary, and 51(17.2%)
were university graduates; 40(13.5%) were casual laborers, majority 208(70.8%) self- employed,
and 46(15.7%) were civil servants. The study showed that the overall attendance of ANC among
mothers in Fort Portal FPRRRH was low. This trend was shown to be significantly associated
with a number of factors. Intensive health education and awareness campaigns on the
importance of ANC should be done to equip mothers with the knowledge so as to reduce the burden of pregnancy-related complications. More effort must be applied to spreading
awareness about proper health service seeking by mothers