Utilization Pattern of Antenatal Care Services; an Example from South Egypt

Research Article

Austin J Womens Health. 2018; 5(1): 1026.

Utilization Pattern of Antenatal Care Services; an Example from South Egypt

AbuHashima FH1, AbuZeina HA1, El Sherbiny NA2* and Hamed NS2

1Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt

2Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Egypt

*Corresponding author: Naglaa A. El Sherbiny, Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Egypt

Received: January 02, 2018; Accepted: February 05, 2018; Published: February 12, 2018

Abstract

Background: Antenatal Care (ANC) is a category of preventive healthcare aiming to provide regular check-ups that allow doctors to prevent and treat potential health problems along the pregnancy.

Objectives: To describe ANC utilization pattern and identify its influencing factors among two groups of women from South Egypt.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional comparative study. A convenient sample of 208 women who had a live birth within six months from South Egypt was taken; 100 and 108 among the attendants of an Urban Health Center (UHC) and a Rural Health Unit (RHU) respectively. An exit interview questionnaire was used.

Results: In both groups, ANC utilization pattern was generally satisfactory. Most of them had regular ANC visits. Two thirds started ANC visits early in the first trimester. The utilization of PHC for ANC was limited when compared with the private clinics. Study women perception regarding ANC was generally positive. Most of them were satisfied from ANC they received in their latest completed pregnancy. Their knowledge about contents of ANC visits was poor. Conclusions & Recommendations: In South Egypt, more efforts are needed to promote the role of PHC in ANC provision. ANC women need to be aware about the contents of the ANC services that should be provided for them. Further research is needed to develop tailored strategies to enhance ANC utilization in individual communities.

Keywords: Antenatal care; Utilization pattern; South Egypt

Background

Antenatal Care (ANC) is a category of preventive healthcare aiming to provide regular check-ups that allow doctors or midwives to treat and prevent potential health problems along the pregnancy period while promoting healthy lifestyles that benefit both mother and child [1,2].

The ANC is one of the four pillars of safe motherhood recommended strategies together with family planning, essential obstetric care "clean/safe delivery" and emergency obstetric care [3]. Antenatal care from a skilled health professional is essential in order to monitor the pregnancy and reduce the risks for the mother and child during pregnancy and at delivery. To be most effective, it is recommended that all pregnant women should have at least four antenatal checkups during pregnancy, commencing as early as possible in the first trimester [4,5].

Interacting factors were found to shape ANC utilization pattern. Factors related to the socio demographic features of women include; ethnicity, residence, rural-urban, education, parity, age, marital status, occupation and family size. Structure on women’s decisions on ANC utilization, women’s position in the society, women’s knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and culture were also found to correlate with ANC utilization Other determinants are related to health service characteristics" availability, accessibility, affordability" [6,7].

The ANC follow-up visits have become more prevalent in Egypt than ever before. The 2014 EDHS showed that the proportion of pregnant women who had at least four ANC visits reached about 83%. That proportion experienced a significant jump compared with that indicated in the 2008 EDHS, which reached 67%. Factors found to shape ANC utilization pattern included; mother age35 and older, child’s birth order, residence urban/ rural and the attained education [5].

The objectives of the study are to describe ANC utilization pattern and identify its influencing factors among two groups of women from South Egypt. Ultimate goal is enhanced quality ANC utilization.

Methods

This is a descriptive cross sectional comparative study. It was conducted among the attendant women of two PHC facilities in Fayoum governorate, South Egypt, an Urban Health Centre (UHC) and a Rural Health Unit (RHU). A convenient sample of 208 women who had a live birth within six months was taken; 100 and 108 among the attendants of the UHC and the RHU respectively.

A systematic random technique was used to select the study women; every 5th woman after receiving the immunization service from the relevant PHC facility.