Factors Influencing Qualified The First Antenatal Care Visits in Chiangsean Hospital After 12 weeks of gestations

Abstract

Background : High-quality antenatal care involves commencing services within the initial 12 weeks of gestation and ensuring a minimum of five prenatal visits during pregnancy. Despite the pivotal importance of adhering to these standards, there is a significant absence of statistical data on antenatal care quality, specifically regarding factors impacting the initiation of the first prenatal visit after the 12th week of gestation in Chiangsaen Hospital.

Objective : To study the incidence of the first antenatal care visit after 12 weeks of gestation and factors associate with the first antenatal care visit after 12 weeks of gestation in Chiangsaen Hospital

Method : This study employed a cross-sectional analytical approach, involving pregnant women in the research program at Chiangsaen Hospital's prenatal clinic. The cohort included 200 participants from July to December 2023. Data were meticulously gathered through personalized interviews and a thorough review of documented prenatal care records. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as chi square, t-test, multivariable logistic regression analysis with statistical significance at p<0.05.

Result : The  incidence of first prenatal visit after 12 weeks of gestation in Chiangsaen Hospital stood at 40.50%. The mean age of these pregnant group was 21.37 6.13 years old. Influencing factors for delayed of antenatal care included age under 18 (aOR=8.12, 95%CI=1.94-17.02, p= 0.001), reliance on foreign worker health insurance and self-payment (aOR=1.39, 95%CI=1.16-10.64, p= 0.001), unfavorable attitudes and inadequate prenatal care (aOR=6.24, 95%CI=1.08-24.69, p= 0.009), and the low awareness of adverse consequences of late antenatal care (aOR=3.41, 95%CI=1.24-19.86, p= 0.019).

Conclusions and RECOMMENDATIONS: The incidence of late antenatal or the first antenatal care visit after 12 weeks of gestation in Chiangsaen Hospital was 40.50%. The significant influencing factors for delayed antenatal included age less than 18 years, entitlement to migrant worker health insurance, negative attitudes towards pregnancy and antenatal care, and limited awareness of the consequences of delayed antenatal care initiation. Addressing these factors may reduce delayed antenatal and develop quality of antenatal care.