Assessment of Factors Influencing Tardiness and Poor-Compliance with ANC at Mwembeladu Hospital in Zanzibar, 2024

Abstract

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is vital for maternal and infant health, yet women in Zanzibar frequently delay their first ANC visit and struggle with adherence to visits to ANC. This study investigates the socio-demographic factors contributing to these delays. It will describe pregnancy characteristics and assess the timing of the first ANC consultations.  Methodology: The research employed a descriptive cross-sectional design at Mwembeladu Hospital, targeting pregnant women receiving ANC. Simple random sampling was used to gather data from 260 participants, with analysis focusing on socio-demographic factors and their impact on ANC attendance. Results: The majority of participants were multigravida (75.8%), and a significant portion attended their first antenatal care (ANC) visit during the second trimester (54.2%). Notably, despite a high level of education among participants, there was no correlation between educational attainment and timely ANC attendance. Similarly, marital status and partner support did not significantly impact the timing of ANC visits. Conclusion: This study highlights that many women in Zanzibar experience delays in antenatal care (ANC) attendance and have a low number of ANC visits, primarily due to the influence of multigravidity. Nearly half of the participants attended fewer than four consultations.  Analysis of the timing of the first ANC visit shows that multigravid women seek care later. Additionally, an adequate level of education was not associated with improved attendance at antenatal consultations. There is a critical need for early detection of poor compliance and intervention during pregnancy.