EFFECT OF ANTENATAL CARE (ANC) ATTENDANCE ON MATERNAL HEALTHCARE AMONG EXPECTANT MOTHERS IN TURKANA COUNTY
Keywords:
Antenatal care attendance, maternal healthcare, expectant mothers, Turkana CountyAbstract
the effect of antenatal care (ANC) attendance on maternal healthcare among expectant mothers in Turkana County, Kenya. It sought to establish whether consistent ANC attendance improves maternal health outcomes by promoting early risk detection, reducing pregnancy complications, improving safe delivery, and enhancing overall maternal wellbeing in underserved communities.
Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design guided by the Health Belief Model. A census of 204 respondents, including expectant mothers, healthcare providers, and maternal health stakeholders, was conducted. Primary and secondary data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression, correlation, and thematic content analysis to establish relationships between study variables.
Findings: The findings revealed that ANC attendance has a significant positive effect on maternal healthcare outcomes in Turkana County. Regular ANC attendance improved early detection of pregnancy-related health risks, reduced complications, enhanced safe delivery outcomes, and promoted maternal wellbeing. Regression analysis confirmed that ANC attendance significantly predicts maternal healthcare outcomes (β = 0.391, p < 0.001), explaining 47.9% of the variation in maternal health outcomes. Respondents strongly agreed that consistent ANC utilization contributes to improved pregnancy management and better access to quality maternal healthcare services. These findings affirm ANC attendance as a critical determinant of improved maternal health in resource-constrained settings.
Conclusion: The study concludes that consistent antenatal care attendance significantly improves maternal healthcare outcomes among expectant mothers in Turkana County. Strengthening community outreach, addressing socioeconomic and geographical barriers, and promoting greater ANC utilization are essential strategies for reducing maternal health risks and improving maternal wellbeing in marginalized populations.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21239765
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