Uptake of FANC Services among Women of Reproductive Age in Sirisia Sub-county, Bungoma County, Kenya
Tobias Makunja *
Department of Community Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mount Kenya University (MKU), Thika, Kenya.
John Kariuki
School of Public Health, Mount Kenya University (MKU), Thika, Kenya.
Taratisio Ndwiga
Department of Public Health, South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), Kitui County, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Focused Antenatal Care (FANC) adoption is significantly influenced by women's perceptions of pregnancy, labour, and post-partum difficulties. This study aimed to investigate the factors of uptake of specialized prenatal care services among pregnant women in Sirisia Sub- County, Bungoma County, Kenya. The target population included women who had given birth in the last two years and healthcare workers. Data collection involved a questionnaire, FGDs and Key Informant Interviews. The majority (31.9%) were aged 21-30 years, 57.3% were married, and 57.3% had secondary education. Only 4.3% had no formal education, while 23.8% had tertiary education. Regarding employment, 34.7% were self-employed, 20.7% were formally employed, and 24.8% were unemployed. More than half of the respondents (56.7%) initiated prenatal care between 4-6 months, and 68.7% had ANC visits between 0-16 gestation weeks. The uptake of Focused Antenatal Care (FANC) services was higher among married women (67.6%), those with tertiary education (74.0%), and formally employed women (63.8%). Factors like marital status (p=0.031) and education (p=0.0001) were significantly associated with FANC service uptake, underscoring the importance of these factors in improving antenatal care utilization, especially among younger, unmarried, and less-educated women.
Keywords: FANC, pregnant women, women health, maternal morbidity, ANC visits