AWARENESS AND FACTORS INFLUENCING LATE ANTENATAL BOOKING AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN UGBOR PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTER, BENIN CITY

Abstract

Awareness of pregnancy-related danger signs and timely antenatal booking are critical determinants of maternal and fetal outcomes. Despite the availability of antenatal services, late booking and preventable complications remain prevalent. This study assessed the level of awareness of pregnancy-related danger signs and factors influencing late antenatal booking among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Ugbor Primary Healthcare Center. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted. A convenience sampling technique was used to select 216 participants. A total of 216 questionnaires were distributed, and 209 were properly completed and valid for analysis, yielding a response rate of 96.8%. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, and grand mean) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) were used to analyze the data and test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that 118 (56.5%) respondents demonstrated a moderate level of awareness of pregnancy-related danger signs, 61 (29.2%) had high awareness, while 30 (14.4%) had low awareness, with a grand mean of 2.87 indicating moderate overall awareness. Severe vaginal bleeding was correctly identified by 172 (82.3%) respondents, while reduced fetal movement was identified by 109 (52.2%). Regarding antenatal booking, 124 (59.3%) initiated care late. Hypothesis testing showed a statistically significant association between educational level and awareness of danger signs (χ² = 18.64, p < 0.05), as well as between accessibility factors and timing of booking (χ² = 21.37, p < 0.05). The null hypotheses were therefore rejected. Although awareness was generally moderate, late antenatal booking remains prevalent and is significantly influenced by socio-demographic and accessibility factors. Strengthened health education, improved service accessibility, and targeted community-based interventions are recommended to promote early antenatal booking and improve maternal health outcomes. Keywords: Awareness, Factors Influencing, Late Antenatal Booking, Pregnant Women,

Identifiers

Resource ID

urn:uuid:2732056a-57b3-4606-a0ea-5007fe556023