FACTORS AFFECTING UTILIZATION OF ANTENATAL CARE AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING PRIVATE SECTOR OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the factors influencing women to avail antenatal care among women attending outpatient department (OPD), of private sector hospitals in Hyderabad. This was an interview-based survey conducted during a period of six months (from1stJuly 2019 to 31st December 2019) at OPD of private sector Hospital in Hyderabad. All the pregnant women and their female companions attending the antenatal OPD were included. Those women who regretted being part of the study were excluded. Participants of the study were interviewed regarding the knowledge and factors affecting utilization of antenatal care among women attending OPD as defined in a pre-set questionnaire. All the data was recorded in self-made proforma and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. A total of 500 pregnant women were interviewed regarding awareness of antenatal care. The study participants were grouped according to their age, 3% were 15-20 years of age, 30.9% were 21-30 years of age, 34.5% were 31-40 years of age and 31.5% were more than 41 years of age. Out of those who did not avail antenatal care, 8.5% were not allowed due to family restrictions, 47.3% reported ignorance, 9.7% lived far away from the facility, 24.2% could not afford it and 10.3% had other reasons of not availing antenatal care. The study concluded that the main reason for not utilizing antenatal care was ignorance by the women as well as their family members; affordability was also an important factors in a considerable number of participants.