ABSTRACT

Abstract
This study was conducted in Poblacion , Magpet, Cotabato on April 6 to
May 6,,2011. A total of 128 women of reproductive age who gave birth in
2010 were interviewed using an interview schedule and focus group
discussion . The purpose of this study aimed to determine the factors that
affect the utilization of prenatal care services of all pregnant women. A
qualitative and quantitative study was done. Low attendance at prenatal
visits brought this health care issue to the forefront of the province and to
the municipality. Several characteristics of pregnant women were found to
influence the late use of prenatal care services especially during the first
trimester . Of all the factors identified the distance from the health facility
and family planning were found to be significantly associated with the
utilization of prenatal care. Women who stayed less than 1 kilometer away
from the health center are less likely to have quality prenatal care and
women who used family planning methods before getting pregnant are
more likely to have quality prenatal care.

RESULTS

Socio-demographic Profile
Table 1 shows the socio-demographic profile of the 128 respondents who
gave birth last 2010. The mean age is 28 years old ranging from 18-49 years.
Fifty-seven percent of women belong to 20-29 age groups and the least is
10-19 years old (3.9%). Majority of the respondents were married, which is
77.3 % and only 3.2% were single. The most numbered respondents were
high school level (52.3%) and some 37.5% were college level and 10.2%
were elementary level. Several numbers of mothers were housewives which
comprise the 85.2% of the respondents in the study and only 14.8% were
currently employed. Since a large percentage was unemployed mothers,
85.1% of them do not have income. 10.1% belong to less than 4000 income
per month and only 4.6% has more than 4000 income monthly. Poblacion is
the center for civilization in Magpet, a lot of tribes from different parts of the
country migrated to this municipality. Cebuanos are the dominant tribe
(67.2%) in the municipality; other variables (ilonggo, Manobo, boholano
and others) were evenly distributed. Since poblacion is situated not that far
from the city, transportation is not a problem of the community. The distance
of the rural health unit from the households is quiet accessible. More than
half (58.6%) the respondents situated 2 to 3km away from the health unit
and only 6.3% were 4km and above. Base on the results, the RHU can be

traveled from 0-9 minutes (92.9%).Some can travel 20-29 minutes or even
30 minutes and above with 5.5% and 1.6% respectively.
Distribution of mothers according to reproductive health status
Table 2 reflects the result of the reproductive health status of the
respondents. Fifty percent (50%) of the total respondents got pregnant 2 to 3
already and not a far percentage from those primigravid(28.1%) and
multigravid (21.9%) mothers. Among 128 respondents 47.7% of them have
2 to 3 live births, 32.8% has 1 and 19.6 have 4 and above. High percentage
of women who has no history of abortion (91.4%) was recorded.
Complications before, during and after pregnancy were also reported, 22.7%
experienced anemia/pallor. The other complications reported were
significantly having lower percentage. With regards to the family planning
practices of the respondents, 65.8% were currently practicing birth spacing
contrary to the reported 65.6% were not using family planning methods.
Most mothers went on a prenatal care during the 4th month of pregnancy
(28.1%) and 27.3 % of these prenatal happened on the 1 st trimester. Among
the respondents 72.7% were not
Note: The data on birth spacing contradicts with the data on the use of FP
methods.

There is high percentage on prenatal happened on the 1 st trimester but also

high percentage of no prenatal visit on the 1 st trimester and usually mothers
pregnant on the 4th month before taking a prenatal check up..
Prenatal Services
Table 3 explains the percentage of services rendered to pregnant women
during prenatal visits. Weight taking (99.2%) is primarily the most common
activity during visit. Blood pressure (97.7%), tetanus toxoid (93.8%),
abdomen measurements (84.4%) were among those top services rendered to
clients. Stool examination is not commonly required (6.2%).

Attitude towards prenatal care

Different statements were given to respondents to analyze and gave their
opinion. Base on their given answers, it will determine their perception and
attitude towards prenatal care. Ninety-nine percent believed that prenatal can
prevent complications during pregnancy and 98% agreed that it can also
prevent complications during delivery. They themselves accorded that
having a prenatal check up can save a mothers life (98%). Only 13% agreed
that prenatal is important only if the mother observes danger signs of
pregnancy. Majority of the respondents gave importance to the benefits of

having frequent visits to the health unit during pregnancy especially in the 1 st
trimester (71%). The levels of awareness of the respondents were high about
prenatal care. Knowing the importance, benefits and advantages of having
regular prenatal visits is a good attitude of a pregnant woman for it seeks to
provide a healthier baby and mother.
Attitude of mothers towards prenatal care services
Table 5 shows the variables that may affect the attitude of mothers towards
prenatal care services. 98% of mothers agreed that services in the RHU were
promptly rendered, 83% were satisfied with readily available medicines and
91% observed that the unit has adequate equipments needed for prenatal
care. Most of them didnt have problems on waiting to be served (74.2%)
and the area of conducting the prenatal check up is not crowded (71.1%).
Mothers of Poblacion Magpet were not ashamed of seeking prenatal care
because she might not be entertained (93.7%) and giving trust to the
competence of health care workers

were highly emphasized by the

respondents (98%). The relationship of the client to the health worker were
clearly understood by both parties since the respondents are not afraid to
seek prenatal care because they might be scolded (96.1%) and they feel
relaxed during visit because the health worker is understanding (96%) and at
the same time very courteous (84%).

Support system
Table 6 identifies the different support system of a mother during the course
of her pregnancy. Most women during their pregnancy received financial
support from their husband (57.8%) and mother (33.6%) with corresponding
spiritual support (33.6%). Commonly next to financial support received by
the pregnant women from their family is love, care, moral and emotional
support in which all of the variables mentioned were important factors
during pregnancy. Some neighbors and relatives gave financial support
(9.3% & 1.5%) but most of them offered advices with 18%&32%
respectively. Government is also one support system a pregnant woman can
tap with. Health services and meds were properly distributed to all pregnant
women (71%) by the government. Health center, ambulance, health workers
and some financial support were among the support given by the
government of Poblacion Magpet.