Barriers to utilization of antenatal care services among pregnant women in Omaheke region, Namibia

The purpose of the study is to determine the barriers to utilisation of antenatal care services among pregnant women in Omaheke Region - Namibia. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive research was followed, and a structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from study participants. One hundred and ten (110) women of child-bearing age between 18 to 49 years who visited Gobabis District Hospital in Omaheke Region for deliveries (full-term) or kept for postnatal care purposes were selected. A questionnaire with open-ended and closed-ended questions was designed using a Likert scale to gather information. SPSS software was used to generate descriptive statistics. Results indicated that the majority of respondents (39%) who attended antenatal care services, fell within the age range of 18-21 years. Participants demonstrated higher knowledge of the recommended number of antenatal care visits and of the importance of antenatal care services. Transport money and cost, long distances to health facilities, desirability, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, and limited transportation options are the barriers that contribute to low utilisation of antenatal care services among pregnant women in Omaheke Region. Recommendations for deployment of more qualified midwives at rural antenatal clinics, building more antenatal care clinics in the region and creation of community awareness campaigns on the importance of antenatal care may increase the utilisation of antenatal care services in the Region. It is anticipated that this research will contribute to the promotion and utilisation of antenatal care services among pregnant women in Omaheke Region.Health StudiesM. P. H