Factors associated with inadequate Antenatal Care visits among pregnant women in rural Blue Nile state – Sudan

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Globally every year there are hundreds of thousands maternal deaths as a result of complications during pregnancy and delivery, and almost the all death occurring in developing countries. Utilization of Antenatal care visits is one of the proven interventions to prevent maternal and neonatal death and pregnancy complications. This study examined the factors associated with the low uptake of four or more antenatal care visits among pregnant women in rural Sudan. Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted from 19th October up to 11th of November 2017 in rural Blue Nile state Sudan, among pregnant women or had given birth in past 12 month prior to the research. Multistage random sampling technique was used and quantitative data was collected using self-administrated structured questionnaire from 402 women in study area. Descriptive and Chi square test analysis were performed at the level of significance of p < 0.05 using SPSS 23. Results: The study revealed that 345 (85.5%) of the women had at least one antenatal visit during their current or last pregnancy. Among the users, 202 (50.2% had less than four antenatal visits and there is 57 (14.5%) did not use antennal care visits at all. There is 86 (25.9%) use the service because they were sick. There was a significant association (P<0.05) between ANC attendance and age at marriage (p-value 0.017), employment status (p-value 0.002), knowledge about importance of ANC visits (p-value 0.001), pregnancy complications (p-value < 0.001), and pregnancy outcome (p-value < 0.001). The study also revealed that about 106 (26.4%) of the women gotten married below 15 years of age. Parity, literacy status of women, average monthly family income, and ANC adequacy were found not to be significantly associated (P<0.05). Conclusion: The adequate use of ANC visits in rural Blue Nile state is very low. This associated with demographic, socio-economic and obstetric characteristics. Women knowledge and awareness is crucial and should be through appropriate health promotion and outreach program.