Factors Associated with Utilization of Preconception Care Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at a Tertiary Hospital, Northern Uganda.

Authors

Gerald Muganyizi, Morrish Obol Okello, Frank Clergy Ayebale, Robert Okwi, Thomas Segane, Pebolo Francis Pebalo, Jimmyy Opee

Published in

International journal of women's health. Volume 18. Pages 614548. Epub Aug 12, 2026.

Abstract

Preconception care (PCC) utilization is essential for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes, yet its uptake remains low in low-resource settings like Uganda. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with PCC utilization among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care (ANC) at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH), Northern Uganda.
A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant mothers attending the ANC clinic at GRRH. Data were collected on sociodemographic, obstetric, and PCC-related characteristics using a semi-structured questionnaire. PCC utilization was defined as receiving any PCC service before the current pregnancy. Multivariable modified Poisson regression with robust variance estimation was used to identify factors associated with PCC utilization, reporting adjusted prevalence rate ratios (PRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p-values. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
A total of 366 pregnant mothers were enrolled at GRRH, with 83.1% (n=304) residing in urban areas. The prevalence of PCC utilization was 35.0% (n=128). Among PCC users, the most common services were screening for infectious diseases (58.6%, n=75) and family planning counselling (55.5%, n=71). Lack of knowledge was the primary reason for non-utilization (88.2%, n=210). In multivariable Poisson regression, unemployed mothers had a 42% lower prevalence rate of PCC utilization compared to those in formal employment (PRR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.97, p=0.038).
PCC utilization among pregnant mothers at GRRH is moderate at 35.0%, with lack of knowledge as the dominant barrier and occupation as the only significant independent factor. Interventions should prioritize economic empowerment for unemployed women alongside community and facility-based education to address awareness gaps and improve PCC uptake in this post-conflict setting.

PMID:
42605376
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 17 Aug 2026.

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