Abstract: Background: Timely maternal and neonatal healthcare, including early antenatal care (ANC), skilled birth attendance, and postnatal care (PNC), reduces preventable pregnancy and postpartum complications. Although Rwanda has made national progress, delays in accessing these services persist in rural communities. This study determined the prevalence of timely maternal and neonatal healthcare uptake and identified sociodemographic and health service factors associated with service use among women of reproductive age in Ruli Sector, Gakenke District.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted among 370 women aged 15–49 years selected through stratified random sampling between September and December 2025. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, bivariate logistic regression, and multivariate logis tic regression in STATA version 17.
Results: Most participants were aged 25–34 years (38.6%), while 58.7% had primary education or below. All respondents were enrolled in community-based health insurance. Early ANC attendance was reported by 63.2%, skilled birth attendance by 99.7%, and PNC attendance by 96.5%. Timely service uptake was independently associated with secondary education, tertiary education, living within 60 minutes of a health facility, CHW pregnancy follow-up, CHW home visits, and being married.
Conclusion: Timely maternal and neonatal healthcare uptake in Ruli Sector is influenced by educational attainment, geographic access, and CHW engagement. Strengthening community health worker outreach, improving transport access, and expanding women's educational opportunities could further improve timely care-seeking in similar rural settings. Keywords: Antenatal care; postnatal care; skilled birth attendance; timely uptake; community health workers; Rwanda; maternal health.
Keywords: Antenatal care; postnatal care; skilled birth attendance; timely uptake; community health workers; Rwanda; maternal health.
Title: Timely Uptake of Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare Services among Reproductive-Age Women in Rural Rwanda
Author: Claude FUNGAROHO, Fissehe Berehe
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026
Page No: 412-420
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 30-June-2026
