Determinants of Timely Initiation of Antenatal Care among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Embu County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Timely initiation of ANC is fundamental for primary diagnosis of dangers signs in pregnancy .It’s also vital in establishing of preventive and promotive health in addition to management of any arising disorders, and essential referrals. The WHO guidelines recommend that, from the minimum of four visits, all pregnant women upturn contacts with their healthcare givers, to eight contacts throughout their gestation period. Regrettably, only 64% of expectant women seek for antenatal care services for at least four or more visits during their pregnancy period globally. This study sought to establish the determinants of timely initiation of antenatal care among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Embu Level 5 Hospital. The study was a health facility based analytic cross-sectional utilizing a mixed methods approach. Study population involved all pregnant mothers who sought ANC at the Embu Level 5 Hospital. Systematic random sampling technique was used and structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) v 22 was used for data analysis. The findings showed that about three quarters (146, 73.7%) of the respondents were married with less than a half (83, 41.9%) being college or university level graduates. More than half (117, 59%) were unemployed with few (91, 46%) owing family businesses. A great number of the respondents (132, 66.7%) indicated that the time taken to be attended at the hospital was too long. On timely initiation of ANC, majority (137, 69.2%) initiated within 12 weeks with only few (61, 30.8%) initiating late. Stepwise regression showed that, health workers attitude was important in the process of timely initiation of ANC care. In conclusion, age and waiting time at the health facility had a statistically significant association with timely initiation of ANC. Training of subordinate staff in filling the clients’ bio data and taking vital signs as a measure to reduce on the clients waiting time at the health facilities