Factors Associated with Pregnant Women’s Dropout from Antenatal Care Visits in Primary Health Care Facilities

Tawfik, Elham Hassan; Arafat, Walaa Abd El- Hamed; Ghattas, Violet Nicola

doi:10.21608/asnj.2023.188772.1500

Factors Associated with Pregnant Women’s Dropout from Antenatal Care Visits in Primary Health Care Facilities

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt.

² Nursing Inspector in Directorate of Health and Population El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt.

³ Assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt.

10.21608/asnj.2023.188772.1500

Abstract

Background: Dropout of Antenatal Care (ANC) in El-Beheira Governorate remains a big health challenge. Pregnant women who dropout from ANC visits considered at risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. Aim of this study: Is to assess factors associated with pregnant women’s dropout from antenatal care visits in primary health care facilities. Research design: A descriptive, retrospective research design. Settings: this study was carried out in 8 governmental primary health care facilities in 4 health directorates in El-Beheira Governorate. Subjects: A convenient sample of 354 women. Data collection tools: data were collected using two tools: Tool (I): Women's Factors Associated with Pregnant Women’s Dropout from Antenatal Care Visits Structured Interview Schedule. Tool (II): Health Care Provider Factors Associated with Pregnant Women’s Dropout from Antenatal Care Visits Structured Interview Schedule. Results: Most of the studied women 81.9% received less than four ANC visits. There was a significant relation between dropout from ANC visits and studied women who were working, who reported that Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities inaccessible, ANC follow-up unscheduled, respondents who were living in rural residence, who assumed that ultrasound not done, and had a low education. Conclusion: Both women's and health care provider factors are associated with pregnant women's dropout from ANC visits and most of these factors are preventable. Recommendations: Scale up health educational programs for pregnant women to increase their awareness about the importance of routine ANC visits follow up at least four visits and started as early as possible in the first trimester during their pregnancy.

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