Does Timing of Antenatal Care Initiation and the Contents of Care Have Effect on Caesarean Delivery in Ethiopia? Findings from Demographic and Health Survey

BACKGROUND: Antenatal care (ANC) is an important preventive set of core healthcare services through pregnancy. Caesarean deliveries are significantly increasing in many low-, middle-, and high-income countries. However, overuse of the caesarean section service interferes with the quality and cost of the procedure. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effect of timing of first antenatal care initiation and the contents of care on caesarean delivery. METHODS: A population level cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 4757 study participants. The multivariable analysis was computed using the setup of 3 models. RESULTS: The rate of caesarean section among women who initiated antenatal care in the first trimester was 1.32% (95% CI = 0.91–4.21). Women initiated antenatal care in the first trimester (AOR = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.49–6.2) and received contents of care (AOR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.24–3.78])were more likely to have caesarean section delivery as compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSION: Caesarean section among women who initiated ANC in the first trimester is low. The finding suggests ANC initiated early (within 16 weeks) can have a positive impact on caesarean section delivery. In addition, being urban residents, primipara women, initiating antenatal care before 16 weeks, received contents of care, and having antenatal care visits three and more increase the odds of having caesarean section. As a result, different obstetric, medical, and surgical complications are detected and managed as early as possible.