Factors Associated With the Timing of First Antenatal Care by Pregnant Women Attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto

Abstract

This study therefore aimed to explore the factors associated with the timing of first antenatal care attendance by pregnant women in specialist hospital, Sokoto, Sokoto state, Nigeria.Three objectives with three corresponding research and questions guided the study. This is a health facility-based cross-sectional study conducted in specialist hospital Sokoto in Sokoto State, North-West Nigeria. Two hundred and seventy nine Pregnant women presenting at the ANC booking clinic were used in this study. Sample size was calculated using Cochran’s formula. A simple random sampling technique was used in selecting respondents using a structured questionnaire. The data analysis was done using SPSS. Pregnant women who initiated ANC early were (42.3%). Majority of the respondents (42.7%) were 25-34 year old. Women with at least secondary level of education were twice likely to commence ANC early compared to those with primary education or no formal education (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 093-4.58). Nulliparous women were almost twice likely to initiate ANC early compared to primiparous and multiparous women (OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.10-1.55). Similarly, Primigravid women were 1.6 times more likely to start ANC early compared to multigravid women (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 0.93-2.57). Women with planned pregnancy were (6%) more likely to register for ANC early compared to those with unplanned pregnancy (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.59-1.90). Early initiation of ANC was (50%) higher in women from low-income household compared to those from high income household (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 0.83-2.72). This study shows that less than half of the women commenced ANC early. The WHO ANC model recommendation on early commencement of ANC has not been fully met. Therefore, there is need for Sokoto state government in collaboration with the Federal.