UTILIZATION OF PRECONCEPTION CARE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONGWOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL SERVICES IN OYAM DISTRICT, UGANDA: AHEALTH FACILITY-BASED STUDY

Abstract

Background: Preconception care is a critical component of maternal and child health. Despite its proven benefits in reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, utilization of preconception care services remains low in many low- and middle-income countries, including Uganda. This study assessed the uptake of preconception care (PCC) and its associated factors among women of reproductive age attending ANC at Anyeke Health Center IV,Oyam District, Uganda.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design utilizing quantitative methods of data collection. Associations were assessed using chisquare tests and binary logistic regression at 95% confidence level (p ≤ 0.05).
Results: The prevalence of preconception care utilization was 59%. Uptake was significantly higher among participants aged 30–39 years (OR = 3.63, 95% CI:2.080–6.351, p = 0.02), married women (OR = 7.5, 95% CI: 3.72–14.04, p<0.01), and those who reported the presence of PCC services (OR = 5.3, 95% CI: 2.09–11.35, p<0.01). Respondents with a waiting time of one hour or less were also more likely to utilize PCC services (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.26–8.96, p = 0.04). Conversely, utilization was significantly lower among unemployed women (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.31–0.96, p<0.01).
Conclusion: PCC utilization was moderate at 59%, influenced by age, marital status, service availability, waiting time, and employment status. Conversely, unemployment was associated with lower uptake, underscoring the influence of socioeconomic barriers. These findings highlight the need to expand service availability, reduce waiting times, and implement targeted interventions to improve PCC uptake and maternal-child health outcomes.