Community based study on the timing of prenatal care in Jimma town

Abstract

Early prenatal care is known to be among the most effective health interventions for prevention of maternal morbidity, mortality and to improve pregnancy outcome. With the main objective of identifying maternal factors that would most explain variation in the timing of prenatal care in the health facilities, this community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma town, southwestern Ethiopia, in August 1997. The study included a total sample of 695 women who gave to a live birth within 12 months before the survey date. Pretested questionnaire was administered using trained field staff. Logistic model was selected for the analysis using late (third trimester or no) prenatal care as a criterion of inadequacy. The finding shows that 29% of women in Jirma town received inadequate prenatal care (19% did not attend antenatal clinics at all and 10% delayed the start of this care up to the third trimester of pregnancy) and only 26% started prenatal care within the first trimester. The median gestational age at first visit was six months. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, low level of maternal education, inadequate household income, high parity (five or more children ever born), pregnancy that occurs out-of-wedlock, unplanned pregnancy, and husband's negative attitude towards the services all significantly predicted the highest likelihood for late or no prenatal care. Possible policy implication of the findings is discussed.