Late Initiation of Antenatal Care Service and its Associated Factors in Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

The study assessed the prevalence of late initiation of antenatal care service and the influencing factors among pregnant women in the Wonago woreda (district) of Gedio Zone, Southern Ethiopia during June - July, 2017. The institution-based cross-sectional study design was used. Data originated from a total of 407 pregnant women who attended antenatal care in three health centers. Data were collected using- semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression. About 68% of the respondents commenced ANC service late (after 16 weeks of pregnancy). Multivariate analysis revealed that women with husbands who had primary, secondary and tertiary education were less likely to initiate late ANC by 58%, 69%, and 85%, respectively, compared to those who had no formal education. Women who had got a planned pregnancy also were 58% less likely to initiate late compared to unplanned pregnancy [AOR= 0.42, 95% CI (0.19, 0.94)]. It was found that mothers who had 1-2, and 3-4 times history of a pregnancy were 72% [AOR= 0. 28, 95% CI (0.14, 0.56)] and 50% [AOR= 0.50, 95% CI (0.24, 0.98)] less likely to initiate late compared to women with >= 5 times of pregnancy, respectively. The majorityof the respondents started their ANC later than the recommended time. Husband's education, planned pregnancy and the number of pregnancy significantly influenced late booking. Therefore it is recommended to improve the level of education of women, promote husband's involvement in pregnancy care, and strengthen family planning services.