Association of person-centred maternity care during childbirth and future reproductive and health-seeking intentions among adolescents in Lira, Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND

Person-centred maternity care (PCMC) is essential for delivering respectful, responsive, and high-quality care during childbirth. However, limited evidence exists on the association between PCMC during childbirth and adolescents' future reproductive and health-seeking intentions.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between PCMC during childbirth and future reproductive and health-seeking intentions among adolescents in Lira, Northern Uganda.

METHODS

We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among 560 adolescents aged 14-19 years who had given birth in public primary health facilities between March 2023 and July 2024. PCMC was measured using the validated PCMC scale, while future reproductive and health-seeking intentions were assessed using items adapted from the Community Survey Tool. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for socio-demographic and obstetric factors.

RESULTS

The median age of participants was 18 years (IQR: 18-19). Most adolescents intended to have another child (82%), return to the same facility for future childbirth (83%), and recommend the facility to others (85%). Overall, 77.7% reported moderate levels of PCMC. Adolescents reporting moderate and high PCMC were more likely to intend to return to the same facility for future childbirth (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.61-5.00; AOR = 5.60, 95% CI: 1.19-26.43, respectively). Adolescents reporting moderate PCMC were also more likely to recommend the facility to others (AOR = 4.31, 95% CI: 2.46-7.54).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of PCMC were associated with positive future health-seeking intentions among adolescents. Strengthening adolescent-responsive PCMC may enhance future engagement with skilled childbirth services and contribute to improved maternal health outcomes in low-resource settings.