This is an analytical cross sectional study that aimed to identify the determinants of utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services among pregnant women and mothers of children 0 – 6 months old from selected transitory sites in Zamboanga City. There were a total of 198 respondents in this study. Included were the pregnant women who are at their third trimester and those mothers of children 0 – 6 months old. The study utilized three data gathering tools: an interviewer-administered survey questionnaire that discussed the determinants of antenatal care utilization in terms of predisposing, enabling and need factors based on previous literature; an interview guide for the focus group discussions among those who sufficiently utilized antenatal health care services; and an interview guide for the barangay health midwife. Among 198 women, 160 (71.25percent) have availed antenatal care services at least once during their pregnancy. Among the 160 women who availed ANC, only 75 (46.88percent) initiated ANC early, and only 71 (43.38percent) had an adequate number of ANC visits. Only 25 women (28.13percent) had sufficiently availed and completed their ANC. To address the objectives of this study, frequency, percentage, univariate analysis and logistic regression were used for all aspects of ANC utilization. In multivariate analyses, the two determinants of ANC utilization were awareness of prenatal care services, and knowledge on the purpose and benefits on ANC. Determinant of early ANC initiation was being a Tausug. Determinants of adequate number of ANC visits were having reached secondary level of education and having initiated ANC early. Lastly, determinant of sufficient ANC visit was being a Tausug. Reasons for non-utilization of ANC were the following: being unaware of the prenatal services, having no time/busy working, feeling healthy that ANC is unnecessary, having some traditional beliefs and practices, being afraid of injections, having no formal education and having no money.

Keyword: Antenatal health care services Pregnant women and mothers