Receipt of adequate antenatal care and associated factors among women delivering in public hospitals, Afar region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Adequate antenatal care (ANC) is crucial for improving pregnancy outcomes through preventive and promotive interventions. Despite WHO standards for regular check-ups, screenings, and counseling, compliance in Ethiopia's pastoral areas, particularly Afar, is underexplored. This study assessed adequate ANC receipt and its associated factors among 704 women who delivered in public hospitals in Afar, Northeast Ethiopia. Data were collected from May 1 to 30, 2024, using structured interviews administered via Kobo Toolbox. Analysis was performed using STATA version 17. Bivariable with [Formula: see text]and multivariable with [Formula: see text] binary logistic regressions were performed. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals were reported to identify factors associated with adequate ANC. Only 34.8% of participants (95% CI: 31.3-38.4%) received adequate ANC. Key positive predictors included being married (AOR = 1.97), higher education (AOR = 1.53), higher household wealth (AOR = 1.89), awareness of ANC timing (AOR = 6.82), knowledge of pregnancy danger signs (AOR = 4.29), and understanding ANC visit frequency (AOR = 1.48). The findings reveal that only one-third of women received adequate ANC, underscoring the need for immediate interventions to improve ANC access and utilization in the Afar region to enhance maternal and child health outcomes.

Keywords: Adequate antenatal care; Afar; Ethiopia; Public hospitals; Women.

Fig. 1

Verification process of the variables for inclusion in the binary logistic regression analysis.

Fig. 2

Percentage distribution of recommended ANC service contents received by women who gave birth in public hospitals of Afar regional state, Northeast Ethiopia, 2024.