FACTORS AFFECTING UTILIZATION OF ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.
Keywords:
Antenatal Care; Health Services Accessibility; Maternal Health Services; Pregnancy; Health Services Utilization.Abstract
Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is a key maternal health service that improves maternal and neonatal outcomes through early detection and management of pregnancy-related complications. Despite its importance, adequate ANC utilization remains low in Pakistan. Objective: To assess antenatal care utilization and identify factors affecting ANC utilization at a tertiary care hospital in Hyderabad/Jamshoro. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2026 at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad/Jamshoro. A total of 147 married women aged 15–49 years who had delivered within the previous two years were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected through a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23. The chi-square test was applied, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Among 147 participants, 49.7% utilized ANC services during their last pregnancy, while 50.3% did not. Among ANC users, 24.7% had one visit, 35.6% had 2–3 visits, and 39.7% had ≥4 visits. ANC utilization was significantly associated with maternal age (p = 0.026), education (p = 0.005), occupation (p = 0.019), household income (p < 0.001), and husband’s occupation (p < 0.001). Gravidity (p = 0.016) and parity (p = 0.005) were also significant, with higher utilization among multigravida and multiparous women. Spousal accompaniment (p = 0.002) and lower transport cost (p = 0.043) increased ANC uptake. Major barriers included high cost (15%), husband refusal (14.3%), perceived lack of need for follow-up (12.9%), and long waiting time (12.2%). Conclusion: ANC utilization is inadequate and influenced by socio-demographic, obstetric, social, and accessibility factors. Strengthening female education, socioeconomic conditions, male involvement, and access to affordable maternal healthcare services is essential to improve ANC utilization and maternal and neonatal outcomes.
