PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANTENATAL CARE UTILIZATION AND HEALTH FACILITY DELIVERY AMONG POSTNATAL WOMEN IN GAMBAGA MUNICIPAL, NORTHEAST REGION, GHANA

Abstract

World Health Organization's advice of antenatal care (ANC) for a safe pregnancy saves 10% to 20% of maternal and neonatal deaths. Health facility delivery (HFD) also improves maternal and child survival. But the majority of women still do not utilize ANC services or skilled birth attendants. This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with ANC utilization and HFD among postnatal women in Gambaga Municipal, Northeast Region, Ghana. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a community setting on 165 postnatal women, who were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected with the structured questionnaire and were analyzed with SPSS version 26.0 at p < 0.05 significance level. Results show that 99% of the participants utilized ANC, and 74.6% had four and more visits. With respect to health Facility Delivery, 89.7% delivered in a health facility, and 10.3% delivered at home. Married women (98 out of 99), representing 99% of married women, were more likely to utilize ANC (p = 0.033, COR: 10.722, 95% CI: 1.219-94.334) and to deliver in a health facility (p = 0.034, COR: 1.978, 95% CI: 1.053-3.716). Women who followed traditional religious practices had higher chances of giving birth at home (p < 0.001, COR: 15.230, 95% CI: 5.226-44.380), while women who had tertiary education showed a higher tendency to deliver in a health facility (p < 0.001, COR: 0.479, 95% CI: 0.33-0.688). The study recommends community education of ANC and HFD, expansion of CHPS compounds, and intensified training of healthcare providers. Engagement of religious and community leaders is important to overcome myths and promote skilled delivery. Strengthening these interventions supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims to reduce maternal mortality to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.