Previous utilization of service does not improve timely booking in antenatal care: Cross sectional study on timing of antenatal care booking at public health facilities in Addis Ababa

Abstract

Background: Antenatal care is more beneficial in preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes when it is sought early in pregnancy. However, existing evidence from developing countries including Ethiopia indicate that few women seek antenatal care at early stage of their pregnancy. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the timing of ANC booking and impact of previous antenatal care utilization on timing of first antenatal care booking in Addis Ababa governmental health institutions. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to collect data from 630 pregnant women who were attending antenatal care service at 10 governmental health centers in Addis Ababa from March 1 to 30, 2008. Results: Past experience on antenatal care service utilization did not come out as a predictor for timely booking of antenatal care (OR=1.40, 95%CI: 0.91, 2.15). Multivariate analysis revealed that respondents who received advice on recommended time of booking, their pregnancy was planned and first pregnancy, were more likely to book timely compared to others (AOR=10.10, 95% CI: 4.54, 22.40; AOR=1.87, 95% CI:1.11, 3.23; (AOR= 1.86, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.44) respectively. Conclusions: Past utilization of antenatal care service did not come as a predictor for timely booking of the service, provided that advice on timely booking is the main factor. In order to improve the situation, strengthening of focused antenatal care, availing of clear service delivery guidelines and training of service providers are important. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24(3):226-233]

Predictors of Early Antenatal Care Booking in Government Health Facilities of Hossana Town, Hadiya Zone, South Ethiopia: Unmatched Case Control Study

“…The conceptual frame work was adapted from the Andersons health seeking behaviour model which was used by many of researchers on factors related with health service utilization [4,6,7,9] (Figure 1). …”

“…Data collection tool or the questionnaire was prepared in English adapted from different literatures [4,6,7,9,10] and translated to Amharic language. Back translation to English was done by another person to check consistence of words and concepts.…”

“…Birth preparedness and complication readiness plan will be arranged and counseling on the importance of iodized salt consumption will be offered. Supplementation of pregnant women, who are at risk of nutritional deficiency with folic acid up to 12 weeks of gestation, reduces the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects such as anencephaly and spinal bifida [4]. More, treatment of malaria, anemia, STIs and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV can be addressed if early antenatal care initiations made [5][6][7].…”

“…Studies reported that maternal education, younger age, first pregnancy, lower parity, planned pregnancy, previous history of still birth, previous early antenatal care visit, perceived number of four antenatal care visit, advice on early antenatal care visit were associated with early antenatal care booking [4,6,7,9,10]. There are few literatures available in Ethiopia which was conducted on factors affecting antenatal care utilization, maternal health care service and timing of antenatal care [1,4,5,9] but no study on early antenatal care booking conducted yet in the area.…”

“…There are few literatures available in Ethiopia which was conducted on factors affecting antenatal care utilization, maternal health care service and timing of antenatal care [1,4,5,9] but no study on early antenatal care booking conducted yet in the area. Therefore, this study using Andersons health seeking behavior model application, will attempt to identify independent predictors of early antenatal care booking in the study area so as to implement interventions.…”