Assessment of antenatal care utilization and associated factors among internally displaced reproductive age Amhara women (15-49 years) in North-Shewa camps of Amhara region, 2023
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Date
2023-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Ethnic induced conflict has displaced over 1.8 million people in Tigray, more
than 1 million people in Amhara, and 334,196 in Afar regions. There is paucity of
information on the utilization of maternal and child health services among internally
displaced persons (IDPs).
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of antenatal care (ANC)
service utilization and its associated factors among internally displaced reproductive-age
Amhara women in the North-Shewa camps of Amhara region.
Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March,
2023 among internally displaced women in Semen Shewa zone Amhara region. Thus a total
of 512 women were included in the study with simple random sampling. The bi-variable and
multi-variable logistic regression model were employed to identify factors significantly
associated with ANC utilization. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was estimated to
show the strength of association. Finally p-value 0.05 in multivariable logistic regression
analysis was used to identify factors associated with ANC service utilization. Finally, key
findings of the study are portrayed using tables and graphs with adequate textual
descriptions.
Result: Overall 51% of mothers received at least one Antenatal care service during
pregnancy and 5.2% of women had the recommended four and above visits. Women whose
husbands attained primary and above level of education [AOR: 2.6, 95% CI: (1.24-5.27)],
pregnancy complications [AOR: 4.1, 95% CI: (2.07-8.07)], good knowledge on ANC
services [AOR: 5.67, 95% CI: (2.93-10.99)], wanted pregnancy [AOR: 8.1, 95% CI: (3.97-
16.55)] and distance to health facility[AOR: 4.45, 95% CI:(2.07-9.45)] were significantly
associated with ANC service utilization. Using Poisson regression, empowered women
(AIRR=1.3: 95% CI (1.07-1.59), those with good knowledge about ANC (AIRR=1.29: 95%
CI (1.09-1.53), living in a camp where health facilities are available (AIRR=1.72: 95% CI
(1.32-2.35) and women whose pregnancies are both wanted and desired (AIRR=1.27: 95%
CI (1.09-1.48) had association with frequency of ANC visits.
Conclusion and Recommendations: Close to half of women didn’t utilize ANC services
during their pregnancy and only about 5% of them had four plus ANC visits. Availing health
facilities in the camps, and enhancing education and awareness creation about ANC service
could help women utilize ANC service.
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Keywords
At least one ANC visit, number of ANC visits, IDPs, Amhara region, Ethiopia.