Factors that Influence the Utilization of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission Services in Mulago National Refferal Hospital, Uganda.

Abstract

The general objective of the study was to examine the factors affecting utilization of PMTCT services in MRH. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish the predisposing/ patient factors that influence the utilization of PMTCT services; to determine the enabling/socio-economic and cultural factors influencing the utilization of PMTCT services and to assess the influence of need/health system related factors on the utilization of PMTCT services in Mulago Referral Hospital. A cross sectional research design was used. The study predominantly employed a quantitative approach but also used a qualitative approach. The study population consisted of 178 participants. A sample size of 130 respondents was selected. A simple random technique was used for Mothers seeking PMTCT services in Mulago except for the Medical workers in ANC care and labour ward who were selected purposively. Quantitative data analysis mainly consisted of descriptive statistics (percentages) and inferential statistics (Spearman correlation coefficient and regression). Thematic and content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Findings revealed a significant positive influence (42%) of predisposing factors on utilization of PMTCT services in MRH. Socio-economic and cultural factors had a significant positive influence (64.8%) on utilization of PMTCT services. And health systems related factors had a positive influence on utilization of PMTCT services. It was concluded that predisposing, socio-economic and cultural and health systems related factors positively influence the utilization of PMTCT services in MRH.

It is recommended that MNRH need to ensure that mothers are counseled on the best PMTCT services they need and the hospital goes ahead to put in place enough space that can serve a bigger number of mother in a smallest period of time so as to overcome congestions that lead to underutilization of PMTCT services in Mulago Referral hospital.