Factors associated with delayed use of antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa.

  • NGOY SHABANI Claude Department of Public Health of Kindu, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kindu. PO Box 122
  • PASCAL KIBONGE Department of Public Health of Kindu, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kindu. PO Box 122
  • NKAMBA KANKOLONGO Hattie Department of Pediatrics, Kindu Higher Regional Hospital, University of Kindu. PO Box 122
  • SHABANI MACHOZI Department of Public Health of Kindu, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kindu. PO Box 122
  • ASSANI WAKENGE Bonny Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kindu. PO Box 122
  • MAOLE NGOY Juresse Department of Public Health of USK KINDU, Faculty of Medicine, University of SIMON KIMBANGU. PO Box 229
  • MASUMBUKO TEMBEA LEA Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kindu, PO Box 122,
  • Gedeon Kalonda Bwanahali Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kindu. PO Box 122
Keywords: Late-attendance-Prenatal-care-Consultation

Abstract

Antenatal care (ANC) is essential for early detection of pregnancy complications. The WHO recommends an initial visit before 12 weeks of gestation. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, many women initiate care late, often after the fourth month of pregnancy, compromising the expected benefits. A narrative review was conducted using a literature search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Hinari, including articles published between 2002 and 2022, in English and French. Frequency of late ANC use: 81.6% of women who initiated ANC late were aged 20 to 34 years, 61.75% had a parity of 2 to 4, 97.87% were married, and 60.4% had a secondary education. Coverage: 56.47% of women who had ≥ 4 antenatal consultations started them late, compared to only 14.42% who had ≥ 4 early consultations. ; Factors associated with delay: Residence in a rural area (OR = 2.156); lack of education (OR = 3.24); age ≥ 25 years (OR = 1.62); unplanned pregnancy (OR = 2.16); monthly income ≤ 1000 ETB (≈ 50 USD) (OR = 1.77); lack of knowledge of the start date of ANC (OR = 1.8); multigravity (OR = 2.575). Delay in the first ANC is common and multifactorial. Targeted interventions are needed, particularly in the areas of education, family planning, community awareness and improvement of the quality of services. The most vulnerable women (poorly educated, elderly, multiparous) must be given special attention in public health policies to reduce maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Published
2025-08-08
How to Cite
, N. S. C., PASCAL KIBONGE, NKAMBA KANKOLONGO Hattie, SHABANI MACHOZI, ASSANI WAKENGE Bonny, MAOLE NGOY Juresse, MASUMBUKO TEMBEA LEA, & Gedeon Kalonda Bwanahali. (2025). Factors associated with delayed use of antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa. IJRDO -JOURNAL OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING, 11(2), 4-9. https://doi.org/10.53555/hsn.v11i2.6364

Most read articles by the same author(s)