부산대학교 도서관

Background The indices of maternal mortality and morbidity in Sudan are among the highest globally, meanwhile poor utilization of antenatal care (ANG) services are reported. Antenatal care services are key maternal health services that can significantly reduce maternal mortality. However, much less is known about the factors associated with utilization of ANG services in rural areas of Sudan. Aim To assess quality of ANG services and identify the factors associated with low prevalence of antenatal care services among reproductive age women in rural Sudan. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four primary health centers in Marawi, Northern Sudan from October to November 2015. The questionnaire was developed with 4 sections, including 3 on independent variables (knowledge of pregnancy, accessibility, socio-demographic), and the dependent variable was utilization of ANG services. Data were collected through face to face interview survey and then coded and analyzed with Excel and SPSS software. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Results 348 women were approached during the survey, only 163 (46.8%) women made four or more ANG visits. Most of them (over 80%) had good knowledge about danger signs and information of pregnancy. ‘Transport cost is high” was the most (56.8%) reported barrier to utilizing ANG services, following answers were “Health center is far” and “Husband refusing” . Distance form home to health center and health services waiting time were significantly related to number of ANG visits. Many socio-demographic characters such as marital status and education level of women or husbands were factors influencing the utilization of ANG services Conclusion Utilization of ANG visits was low in Marawi District. The women living there had good knowledge about pregnancy, however, had several barriers to access the ANG services in health center. Thus, public health intervention programs should be targeted towards improving the pattern of antenatal care use among the reproductive age women in Sudan.