Trends of antenatal care utilization in a teaching hospital in Pakistan

Introduction:

Regular access to antenatal care is an important component of millennium development goals. Antenatal care in form of early booking and regular visits is essential for better outcome of pregnancy and safe mother and child.

 Objectives:

To analyze the pattern of utilization of antenatal services by various groups of women presenting to antenatal services of public sector in a developing country.

 Research Design:

Prospective observational study of 100 consecutive pregnant women presenting to antenatal clinic.

 Results:

Mean age 25 years (range 16-35 years). Majority (98%) were housewives, 73% had no formal education, 76% were from urban settings and 69% belonged to low socio economic background. 57% were first time bookers and 68% were late bookers (second or third trimester bookings). 38% were primigravida and 34% had previous bad obstetrics history. A long travel distance was cited as most common cause (31%) of late presentation. The reason for presenting to this particular facility was wish for a hospital delivery (75%), complicated current pregnancy (20%), and bad obstetrics history (5%). 97% respondents agreed that regular antenatal visits were necessary.

 Discussion:

Although most women recognized the importance of early booking and regular antenatal checks, most were unable to utilize the services due to poverty, lack of knowledge and lack of access to services due to unavailability and long travel distances.

 Conclusion:
In order to improve antenatal services and increase their utilization, a broader approach in improving poverty, illiteracy and health seeking attitudes is required. This will help in meeting millennium development goals.