Assessing the implementation of Focused Antenatal Care and factors influencing its implementation across health facilities in Jinja District, Uganda

Abstract

The World Health Organization recommends focused antenatal care (FANC) to limit the number of times a pregnant woman makes visits to the health facility (if there is no other need) to four while ensuring that she receives a set of evidence-based interventions at each of the visits to achieve healthy outcomes for the mother and baby. Uganda adopted the FANC approach in 2003 across the health care system although reports indicate that only 48% of pregnant women make at least four visits during the course of their pregnancy and the quality of antenatal care (ANC) services needs improvement. This study investigated FANC implementation and related influencing factors as perceived by the health workers across the health system in Jinja district.