Nour El-Din, M., Zaghloul, A., Abdel Kader, H. (2000). Utilisation of Antenatal Care Services in a Squatter Area in Alexandria. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 30(4), 665-684. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2000.243891
Moustafa M. Nour El-Din; Ashraf A. Zaghloul; Hoda Z. Abdel Kader. "Utilisation of Antenatal Care Services in a Squatter Area in Alexandria". Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 30, 4, 2000, 665-684. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2000.243891
Nour El-Din, M., Zaghloul, A., Abdel Kader, H. (2000). 'Utilisation of Antenatal Care Services in a Squatter Area in Alexandria', Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 30(4), pp. 665-684. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2000.243891
Nour El-Din, M., Zaghloul, A., Abdel Kader, H. Utilisation of Antenatal Care Services in a Squatter Area in Alexandria. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 2000; 30(4): 665-684. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2000.243891
Utilisation of Antenatal Care Services in a Squatter Area in Alexandria
Department of Public Health Administration and Behavioural Sciences, Alexandria University, Egypt
Abstract
In Alexandria [Egypt], inhabitants of squatter areas constitute about 38% of the total number of the population living in the governorate. The study was conducted in the "Fishermen's Shelter"; one of 86 squatter settlements in Alexandria. The present work was undertaken to assess the pattern of ANC services utilisation by women living in "Fishermen's Shelter", to identify factors influencing their utilisation and to determine important factors affecting the utilisation of private and public facilities. The work was performed by filling pre-coded interview schedules through a household survey during the period of March till May 2000. Women included in the study [589 women] were subdivided into two groups according to the use of ANC services during the past five years into users [371 women] and non-users [218 women]. Users were further subdivided according to the type of facilities used into public and private users. Univariate analysis revealed 6 factors to be significantly associated with non-use of ANC services. These include illiteracy and old age of women and their husbands, large families and high crowding index. Significant reproductive history factors among non-users included high gravidity, high parity, and experience of abortions or stillbirths. Non-of the factors included in the study showed significant difference between public and private users. Stepwise logistic regression revealed that gravidity was the only independent significant determinant at the "Fishermen's Shelter" area; where women with 5 and more children are less likely to use ANC services. It was concluded that the overall rate of use of ANC services in "Fishermen's Shelter" and the determinants of such use might not be different from other urban communities in Lower Egypt. However, this community is dependent on public facilities for its ANC services unlike other communities living in Lower Egypt who prefer private facilities.