Association between intimate partner violence and utilization of antenatal care services among women in suburbs of Kampala, Uganda

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) constitutes a significant public health concern, particularly in low-resource settings, and has been correlated with diminished utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services. Despite the implementation of various interventions in Uganda, IPV remains prevalent, particularly in the suburban regions of Kampala. We examined the association between IPV and ANC utilization among women in the suburbs of Kampala, Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 398 women aged 15 to 49 who had given birth within the past 12 months and resided in the suburbs of Kampala between September 2024 and May 2025. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire comprising three sub-sections: socio-demographic characteristics, IPV, and utilization of ANC services. IPV was evaluated utilizing the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale 2 (RCTS2). Data analyses included descriptive statistics and Poisson regression to assess associations. The threshold for statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The majority of participants were aged 25–34 years (49.7%), married (89.3%), and possessed formal education (77.5%). Most participants (96.2%) attended at least one ANC visit; however, only 34.4% completed the recommended four or more ANC visits. The overall prevalence of IPV was 53.3%, with emotional violence being the most common (52.6%), followed by physical violence (38.1%) and sexual violence (2.5%). Women experiencing IPV were significantly less likely to attend four or more ANC visits (AOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.61–0.78). Sexual violence was particularly associated with reduced ANC attendance (AOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76–0.95). Conversely, emotional violence was associated with increased ANC utilization (AOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.20–1.49). Additional factors positively associated with ANC utilization included being married (AOR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01–1.23), having formal education (AOR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04–1.22), and having access to ANC services (AOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.21–1.40). IPV remains highly prevalent among pregnant women, with emotional violence being the most common form. IPV, particularly sexual violence, was significantly associated with reduced ANC utilization, underscoring its detrimental impact on maternal health-seeking behaviors. Conversely, emotional violence exhibited a paradoxical association with increased ANC attendance, warranting further investigation. Factors such as marital status, formal education, and access to ANC services were positively correlated with optimal ANC utilization. These findings highlight the necessity for integrated interventions that address IPV within maternal health programs to enhance ANC uptake and improve maternal health outcomes.