Factors Influencing Uptake of Focused Ante Natal Care in Kenya a Case Study of Nyatoto Community

The sustainable goal number three (UN 2015) advocates for reduction in in maternal death 70 per 100,000 women. Though there is a drastic reduction in maternal death in Africa, many countries still have high maternal deaths. Kenya has shown drastic reduction from 488 deaths per 10000 in 2016 to 350 deaths per 100000.The health status of women is an important indicator of the overall economic health and well-being of a country. Maternal health is closely linked with the survival of newborns. Focused Antenatal care (FANC) is a widely used strategy to improve the health of pregnant women and to encourage skilled care during childbirth. In 2011, the Ministry of Health in Kenya developed a national adaptation plan based on the new model of the World Health Organization (WHO) This cross sectional study design examined the factors influencing the uptake of FANC in Nyatoto sub location in HomaBay County of Kenya Nyatoto village is a remoter rural village in western part of kenya. The study adopted a stratified systemic sampling method and used an interview schedule to collect data. All participants met predetermined eligibility criteria. Data was analyzed using Microsoft excel programme. Findings revealed that 23.6% of participant had a history of pregnancy loss. The commonest cause was Malaria (30.7%). Majority (85.5%) of women preferred hospital delivery while fewer (14.5%) preferred home delivery stating unfriendly attitude of health workers and being unaware of the importance of hospital delivery as their resion.47.3% of women in Nyatoto community had at one time had a home delivery. The study recommended a synergistic approach targeting health care providers, FANC mothers and the community at large in order to improve FANC services. Improved FANC services will ensure that mothers reap maximum benefits from the care. Further, adult education programmes should be funded by both ministry of education, county government and other development partners. Women with low or no education should be encouraged to attend these classes.