MAGNITUDE OF LATE INITIATION OF ANTENATAL CARE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ATTENDED PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES OF HARAMAYA DISTRICT, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

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