Determinants of incompletion of recommended antenatal visits among women in union in Bujumbura city: Modernity compromised by female dependence, unwanted pregnancy and poverty

Jean François Régis Sindayihebura; Didier Nganawara

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.4.120

Authors

Jean François Régis Sindayihebura Department of Geographic, Environment and Population Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Burundi (Bujumbura, Burundi) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9138-9813
Didier Nganawara Institute of Training and Demographic Research (IFORD) – University of Yaoundé II (Yaounde, Cameroon)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.4.120

Keywords:

antenatal visits, female dependence, unwanted pregnancy, poverty, determinants

Abstract

In Bujumbura city, the rate of non-completion of the four antenatal visits recommended in Burundi is very high compared to its status as the main city and icon of modernity. This context challenges the urban health advantage that cities are supposed to offer their residents. Furthermore, it also goes against the assumptions regarding urban social disorganization (individualism resulting from the breakdown of family ties) and the women’s empowerment that may result from it. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the determinants of this incompletion in this particular context. Based on data from the 2016-2017 Burundi Demographic Health Survey (BDHS), the analysis was performed using binomial logistic regression. The results show that a woman's propensity to make decisions about her own healthcare [OR: 0.380; CI: 0.180–0.801] reduces the risk of not attending the recommended four antenatal visits. On the other hand, having had an unwanted pregnancy [OR: 3.669; CI: 1.151–11.702] and living in a household with a low standard of living [OR: 3.889; CI: 1.334–3.952] increase this risk. Scientifically, these results invite researchers targeting the issues of antenatal visits and primary health promotion to focus their attention not only on rural area, but also on cities. In terms of economic and social development programs and projects, these findings show that interventions aimed at increasing antenatal consultation rates and adherence to healthcare in general must include women’s empowerment in health-related decision-making, reduce economic barriers, strengthen family planning and primary health related education, involve men and couples, monitor women at risk of discontinuing antenatal care, reduce urban inequalities, and adopt an integrated multisectoral approach to improve the completion of antenatal visits in urban areas as well as in rural ones.

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Author Biographies

Jean François Régis Sindayihebura, Department of Geographic, Environment and Population Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Burundi (Bujumbura, Burundi)

Jean François Régis is a faculty member and researcher at the University of Burundi’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, affiliated with the Department of Geographical, Environmental, and Population Sciences. His research focuses on sexual and reproductive health, family planning, maternal health, the determinants of schooling, and urban development. Social and environmental challenges, including gender inequality, household poverty, service provision, climate change, etc., are consistently considered in his work to explain the socio-demographic phenomena he studies. This submitted article is part of his regular professional activities and meets academic requirements for scholarly output.
Didier Nganawara, Institute of Training and Demographic Research (IFORD) – University of Yaoundé II (Yaounde, Cameroon)

Didier Nganawara is currently the Acting Executive Director of the Institute for Training and Demographic Research (IFORD) at the University of Yaoundé II (Cameroon). He contributed to this article by validating the analysis results and extensively revising the manuscript.

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