Utilization Of Antenatal Care Services Among Adolescent Mothers In Mathare Informal Settlements, Nairobi County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Antenatal care contributes to good pregnancy outcomes and often times benefits of antenatal care are dependent on the timing and quality of the care provided. Antenatal care is necessary to establish confidence between the woman and her health care provider, to individualize health promotion messages, and to identify and manage any maternal complications or risk factors. In low and middle income countries, complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death in women aged 15–19 years. This study aimed at determining the level of utilization of antenatal care services among adolescent mothers in Mathare Valley informal settlements, Nairobi County, Kenya. Ethical clearance was sought from Kenyatta University Ethics committee, consent was sought from respondents and confidentiality was maintained by not using any form of identification. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The target population consisted of all adolescent mothers aged 10 years to 19 years within Mathare Valley informal settlements. Data collection instruments was researcher administered questionnaires. The questionnaire was administered to the adolescent mothers who met the inclusion criteria. Data collected was coded and entered into the computer for analysis using SPSS version 20. Results of the study were summarized using percentages, tables and charts. Chi-square statistics were used to test for strength of association between the research variables and the relationship between the dependent and independent variables under study. The study established that source of income (χ 2 =17.700; df=4; p=0.001), person living with the adolescent mothers (χ 2 =11.332; df=4; p=0.023) were significantly associated with ANC utilization. About 78.9% of the respondents had visited ANC at least once and above for checkup while 21.1% had never visited ANC clinics. Only 31.6% of the adolescent mothers managed the recommended 4 and above ANC visits. Number of children adolescent mothers have given birth (Parity) χ 2 =46.998; df=2; p