Acceptability of focused antenatal care by antenatal clinic attendees in Obio Cottage Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Focused antenatal care (FANC), based on fewer goal-oriented visits, is the WHO's recommended care for pregnant women. The objectives of the study were to assess the acceptability of FANC and barriers to its implementation at the hospital. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among antenatal clinic attendees between January and March 2011 at Obio Cottage Hospital, Port Harcourt Nigeria. Women were recruited by systematic sampling technique into the study. Questionnaires which sought demographic data, acceptability or rejection of fewer antenatal visits and reasons for decisions were administered to them. Data analysis was performed using Stata 10. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine associations between demographic parameters and acceptance of FANC. Significance level was set at P<0.05. Results: The analysis was based on 456 out of 500 completed questionnaires. The mean age and parity of the women were 28.6±4.2 and 1±1 respectively. The mean number of preferred visits was 13.4±6.9 visits, (IQR 9-18). Reduced visits were acceptable to 75% of the women. The main reason for accepting reduced visits was to save time 164 (40.6%). The main reasons for rejecting reduced visits were for better monitoring of pregnancy (35.1%) and early detection of problems (21.6%). The likelihood of accepting fewer visits increased with age. OR=1.04; 95% CI (1.09-1.10), P=0.01. Conclusion: Focused antenatal care was acceptable to most women in the clinic. The concern it would compromise monitoring of pregnancy should be addressed during health education.