Abstract:
Background: Late initiation of Antenatal care is associated with severely increased risk
of both maternal and prenatal morbidity and mortality. Women who late for first
Antenatal care visit suffered from many obstetrict complications. In Ethiopia, nearly twothirds
of pregnant women initiated their first Antenatal care lately. Despite its negative
consequences on pregnancy, studies to identify factors associated with late initiation of
Antenatal care are limited in Eastern Ethiopia. Moreover, no available evidence regarding
late initiation of Antenatal care in this study area.
Objective: To assess the magnitude of late initiation of Antenatal care and associated
factors among pregnant women in public health facilities of Haramaya District, Eastern
Ethiopia, from March 1 to 30, 2019.
Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was employed among pregnant women in
public health facilities of Haramaya District, Eastern Ethiopia. A sample of 466 pregnant
women were interviewed using a systematic sampling technique. Data entry was made
using Epi data version 3.1 and analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Descriptive
statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis were employed to
determine and identify the magnitude and factors associated with late initiation of
Antenatal care respectively. A statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05.
Results: The magnitude of late initiation of ANC was found to be 63.5% (95%CI=58.97,
67.90). Having no formal education (AOR=2.70, 95%CI=1.62, 4.49), unplanned
pregnancy (AOR=3.44, 95%CI=1.37, 8.66), having no permission from husband to
attend ANC (AOR=3.23, CI=1.8, 8.80), being multigravida (AOR=2.96, 95%CI=1.56,
5.63), walking on foot to reach the nearest health care facilities (AOR=4.47,
95%CI=2.73, 7.30) and unemployment (AOR=3.77, 95%CI=2.06, 6.90) were factors
positively associated with late initiation of Antenatal care.
Conclusion: The magnitude of late initiation of ANC was found to be high. Maternal
educational status, maternal occupation, means of transport to the nearest health facilties
and gravidity were positively and strongly associated with late initiation of ANC. Effort
needed to be focused on creating awareness towards timely initiation of ANC, adult
women’s education and vehicle public transport to the nearest health care facilities
