Determinants of Antenatal Care Attendance among Pregnant Women in Selected Primary Healthcare Centres in Ibadan, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Background: Despite global reductions in maternal mortality, antenatal care (ANC) attendance remains suboptimal in many low-resource settings. This study investigated the determinants of ANC attendance among pregnant women in selected Primary Healthcare Centers in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 470 pregnant women in their third trimester attending four Primary Healthcare Centers between January-March 2024. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select participants. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, enabling factors, and knowledge of ANC importance. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and logistic regression.
Results: While most participants (82.8%) reported being discouraged by negative health worker attitudes, they demonstrated good knowledge of ANC importance. Logistic regression revealed significant associations between ANC attendance and parity (OR=6.952, p<0.001), health insurance coverage (OR=2.154, p=0.032), health workers' attitudes (OR=2.006, p=0.049), and husband support (OR=7.229, p<0.001). Only 7.7% of participants had health insurance coverage, and just 3.2% reported spousal accompaniment to ANC visits.
Conclusion: While knowledge levels were high, institutional and social factors significantly influenced ANC attendance. Interventions should focus on improving healthcare provider attitudes, expanding health insurance coverage, and strengthening spousal support systems.
