Assessment of Antenatal Clinic Booking Using the Ecological Model for Health Promotion in Mpwapwa – Tanzania.

Abstract Objective: Assessment of antenatal clinic booking using the ecological model for health promotion in Mpwapwa, Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was done between May and June 2017 at Mpwapwa District in Tanzania. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. The analysis involved descriptive statistics to describe the sample population and relevant proportions, in frequency table and cross tabulations between independent and dependent variables; and chi-square test for showing association between study variables during statistical analysis. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The majority of respondents (69.9%) registered at ANC after the recommended three months of pregnancy. Almost all of the respondents (96.3%) had high knowledge of antenatal clinic booking. More than half (59%) of respondents illustrated that it was necessary to get permission from their partners before they started ANC, and more than three-quarters (86%) said that they depended on financial support from their partners. Late booking was significantly high (83.7%, P<0.001) among the respondents who did not get support from their partners. Conclusion: Overall, all levels of the ecological model appear to influence ANC booking among pregnant women. Although the participants indicated high knowledge and positive attitude towards ANC, the subordination of pregnant women in decision-making concerning ANC booking, and dependence on partners for financial support and transportation to ANC might have contributed to late ANC booking.