Access to and utilization of antenatal care services in Uganda,2006 (UDHS)

David Okutu, University of Ghana

The question of why women are still deprived of access to life saving essentials and obstetric emergency care lies within some of the conservative, economic, socio-cultural, religious and political forces which continue to infiltrate the implementation and expansion of effective reproductive and sexual health rights. This paper examines the challenges women face in accessing and utilizing antenatal care services using the 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data. In built, is the concept that utilization of health care services is more of attitudinal and behavioural issue. The study does not only consider physical but also the cost, quality and women’s autonomy relating to access to and utilization of antenatal care services. Difficulty in getting money for treatment was the most outstanding problem women encountered, followed by distance to the health facilities and decision making regarding health care seeking in Uganda was still poor.