ANC attendance registered in this study is consistent with those of
the recent UDHS which reported that only 17% of women have
their first ANC visit in the first trimester and only 47.2% have
four or more antenatal visits as recommended by the Uganda
Reproductive Health Policy Guidelines22. A number of studies
have assessed factors leading to low and late ANC in Africa.
According to Asiimwe, affordability in terms of physical inability
to travel long distances, transport and other related costs explains
the limitations to more ANC visits, even when free health services
are available23. Additionally, late ANC attendance is associated
with a perceived lack of services and relevant medicines at these
health centres24. This study established that more than half of the
pregnant women in Kiboga are more than a one hour’s walk
(5 km) away from the nearest healthcare facility. The results also
showed that the ANC services received by the women were not at
a satisfactory standard. Such factors were possible reasons for the
low ANC attendance in Kiboga.