Timing and quality of antenatal care among adolescent mothers in Luuka district, Uganda

Abstract Background Effective Antenatal Care (ANC) is dependent on timely initiation of the first visit and quality care to mitigate risk factors in pregnancy. However, most adolescent mothers attend their first visit later than the recommended time while others do not receive all the required components of care. This study sought to examine the predictors associated with timing of the first ANC visit and receipt of the recommended components of care among adolescent mothers in Luuka district. Methods The study was carried out between March and May 2021 among 248 adolescent mothers aged 10-19 years from Luuka district, who were either pregnant or postpartum with infants aged 0-3 months. Data analyses were done using descriptive techniques, Pearson chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests of independence were done at bivariate level and thereafter binary logistic regression. Results Findings showed that majority of the adolescent mothers (82%) attended ANC for their most recent pregnancy or birth. Still, only 47% had timely ANC visit while 36% had all the recommended components of care. Having knowledge on dangers signs in pregnancy was a determinant of both receipt of all components of ANC (AOR = 6.57, 95%CI = 1.75 - 24.65) and early timing of the first visit (AOR = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.12 – 0.97). Further, the odds of making the first visit after the first trimester were highest among adolescent mothers who had ever given birth (AOR = 3.67, 95%CI:1.68 - 8.02) and those without independent decisions on health care (AOR = 3.45, 95%CI:1.04 - 11.42). Conclusion Knowledge of obstetric pregnancy danger signs, having ever given birth and decision making on health care seeking are pivotal determinants of adolescent mothers’ timing of the first ANC visit and uptake of the recommended components of care. We therefore recommend the need to sensitize adolescent mothers through different channels of media on the benefits of ANC. Also, ensuring accessibility and affordability of these services among health facilities will significantly increase the uptake and early timing of the antenatal care services among adolescent mothers in rural communities.