Delayed antenatal care and associated factors among pregnant women attending health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background/Aims Antenatal care aims to identify and treat pregnancy-related problems that can harm either the mother or fetus. The objective of this study was to evaluate delays to the first antenatal care visit, and factors associated with a delay, among pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods An institutional cross-sectional study design was used, with a sample of 403 pregnant women. Data were gathered using a pretested, structured interview questionnaire that asked for participants' sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, their access to information and support, and their attendance at antenatal care. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis was done to assess association with delays to attendance at antenatal care. Results The majority of participants attended their first antenatal care visit later than is recommended (61.5%). Factors significantly associated with delayed attendance included being aged 25–49 years (adjusted odds ratio=2.17, P<0.01), being unmarried (adjusted odds ratio=1.78, P=0.03), having a husband who was unable to read and write (adjusted odds ratio=2.12, P=0.006), being a housewife (adjusted odds ratio=3.36, P=0.04), having a parity higher than 5 (adjusted odds ratio=3.47, P=0.03), having had an unplanned pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio=1.74, P=0.05), not having been counselled about early antenatal care (adjusted odds ratio=1.70, P=0.02) and having no financial support (adjusted odds ratio=1.99, P=0.01). Conclusions Several factors were found to be associated with delays in attending antenatal care among women in Addis Ababa. The Addis Ababa Health Bureau and sub-city health departments should strengthen efforts to improve awareness of the importance of early attendance at antenatal care.