KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF PREGNANT WOMEN TOWARDS ROUTINE ANTENATAL VISITS IN UGBOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTER, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

Abstract

Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality remain major public health challenges in Nigeria, often linked to poor utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards routine antenatal visits at Ugbor Primary Health Care Centre, Benin City, Edo State. Specifically, the study aimed to evaluate knowledge levels, determine attitudes, and identify factors influencing attendance. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted among a total population of 250 pregnant women. Using a convenience sampling technique, data were collected from 150 respondents via a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, and mean) and the Chi-square test at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that awareness was high (94.7%), with 90% of respondents recognizing that ANC should commence early in pregnancy. Attitudes were predominantly positive, as 88.7% expressed a willingness to attend all recommended visits. However, utilization was hindered by systemic barriers, including long waiting times, high transportation costs, and negative experiences with healthcare providers. Inferential analysis showed a significant relationship between knowledge levels and ANC attendance (p