More pregnant women in Northern Uganda are now turning to antenatal ultrasound scans, with Gulu Regional Referral Hospital recording usage far above the national average.
According to a new research presented during the 1st Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and 3rd Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Uganda, Northern Chapter Scientific Conference held at Bomah Hotel in Gulu City.
Lead researcher Dr. Byron Awekonimungu says their study between November 2023 and March 2024, involving 374 pregnant women, found that 56.4% of mothers at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital use ultrasound scans.
He explains that the figures nearly doubled the current national usage of 30% reported by the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Awekonimungu says key factors driving usage include age, family support, and access to information.
Women aged 30 to 40 and those above 40 used scans more, mainly due to fears of pregnancy complications. 92.9% of the women also reported getting support from their spouses.
The researchers however note lower use among rural women, with many only coming in when complications are severe.
The team, supervised by Dr. Felix Bongomin and Dr. Jimmy Opee of Gulu University, recommends centralized training for midwives and equipping rural health centers with ultrasound machines to improve access.
85% of the mothers who used scans had between one to three scans, and 73% said the service was affordable.
By Martine Odong
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