Utilization of Antenatal Care (Anc) Services among Women of Childbearing Age Attending Federal Medical Centre, Onitsha, Anambra State

Abstract

This study examined the utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services among women of childbearing age attending federal medical centre, Onitsha, Anambra State. Specifically, it assessed the extent to which pregnant mothers utilized health education, immunization, family planning, and physical assessment services in relation to their age and educational level. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed. The study population comprised 1,656 pregnant women, from which a sample of 166 respondents was selected. Data were collected using a validated researcher-developed questionnaire with high internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha values ranging from 0.912 to 0.973). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26, and hypotheses were tested with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that educational attainment significantly influenced the utilization of health education and physical assessment services, with women possessing higher education demonstrating greater usage. However, age had little impact on the utilization of health education services, as all groups reported high participation. In contrast, utilization of immunization services was not significantly differentiated by education but declined with increasing maternal age, suggesting higher adherence among younger women. Overall, the results suggest that education enhances informed engagement with specific ANC services, while age-related factors shape preferences for "others. The study concludes that while ANC service utilization is relatively high, disparities exist across age and educational subgroups. It recommends intensified health education, targeted interventions for older mothers regarding immunization adherence, and continuous promotion of family planning and routine physical assessments among all women of childbearing age to improve maternal and child health outcomes.