Completion of four or more ANC visits among women of reproductive age in Iganga district in Uganda: a quantitative study on the role of service-level factors

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that antenatal care (ANC) has both indirect and direct effects on maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality reduction. In Uganda, the ANC attendance rate stands at 97.3% for one visit, but 59.9% for four or more visits. Given the imminent shift to the eight-contact ANC model in Uganda, combined with a lack of universal coverage for completion of four ANC visits, there is need for research that provides information on the factors that differentiate completers of recommended ANC attendances from non-completers. The aim of this quantitative study was to assess service- level factors affecting completion of ANC attendance defined by completion of four or more visits among women of reproductive age in Iganga district in Uganda. METHODS: Facility assessment scores on the service-level factors of interest for health facilities were obtained using a service level index tool. The relationship between the ANC completion rates of clients sampled from records at the health facilities and facility scores on service-level factors of interest were analyzed. Regression was conducted to determine the predictive relationship between ANC service availability, ANC service content, and ANC service organization, and completion of ANC attendance. RESULTS: The model was statistically significant, χ2 (6) = 26.118, p ˂ 0.05, and accounted for approximately 17.3% of the variance of ANC attendance completion (R2 = .173). Completion of ANC attendance was primarily predicted by better timing of provision of ANC services, and to a lesser extent by higher levels of availability of medicines and medical supplies. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that service-level factors have a predictive value for completion of ANC attendance. The findings can be used to improve availability, content, and organization of ANC services with the aim of enhancing positive experiences for clients and motivating them to complete the recommended number of ANC visits. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-023-09913-7.