A THESIS REPORT SUBMITTED TO ARBAMINCH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF MIDWIFERY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE MASTERS DEGREE IN CLINICAL MIDWIFERY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Maternal and neonatal health remains a serious issue in Ethiopia, with substantial disparities in access to and utilization of antenatal care services. World health organization recommended eight contact approach in 2016. Despite this recommendation, adherence to eight antenatal care contacts is low in Ethiopia. Intention has the strongest direct influence on behavior to engage in antenatal care contacts. OBJECTIVE: To assess the intention to use eight antenatal care contacts and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Karat town, Konso Zone, southern Ethiopia, 2024. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 395 pregnant women in Karat town. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were collected by face-to-face interview, EpiData version 4.6, and SPSS version 26 were used. Bivariate analysis was done and variables with a p-value ≤ 0.25 were entered into the multi variable analysis. AOR with a 95% confidence interval was used to estimate associated factors. P-value < 0.05 was used to declare the level of statistical significance. RESULT: The study showed that 79% (95% CI: 75.10, 82.80) of pregnant women were intended to use eight antenatal care contacts. Participants favorable attitude (AOR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.63, 7.35), positive subjective norm (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.04, 4.65), positive perceived behavioral control (AOR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.63, 6.66), having media exposure on maternal health service (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.31, 5.24), knowing pregnancy danger signs (AOR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.36, 8.32), and couple decision making (AOR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.30, 6.23) were factors significantly associated with intention to use eight antenatal contacts. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION The intention to use eight antenatal care contacts in Karat town was suboptimal. The statistically significant factors of intention to use eight antenatal care contacts were direct subjective norm, direct and indirect perceived behavioral control, indirect attitude, media exposure, knowing pregnancy danger sign and couple decision-making. Husband involvement, health information dissemination, community-based initiatives, and educational campaigns were recommended to enhance the intention to use eight antenatal care contacts