Factors Influencing the Booking Gestational Age Among Antenatal Clinic Attendees at Primary Health Centers in South West, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Antenatal care (ANC) is a recognized factor for favorable pregnancy outcomes. Despite the benefits associated with early initiation of antenatal care, late booking still predominates in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the factors, including family dynamics, associated with the booking gestational age among women attending ANC clinics in a Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 255 pregnant women attending ANC at the Primary Health Centres in Osun State, who were selected by stratified random sampling technique. Data were obtained with aid of a semi-structured questionnaire and subjected to descriptive and inferential analyses. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 27.3 ± 5.1 years. Their mean booking gestational age was 23.0 ± 6.6 weeks, while the majority (85.3%) booked late for ANC. Most (122, 54.2%) of the respondents booked in the second trimester. The opinion of the husband influenced most women (54.2%) in the decision regarding the time of ANC booking. There was no association between the booking gestational age and each of respondents’ age, education, parity, perceived family support, level of family functioning, and other sociodemographic characteristics. The booking GA was however significantly related to the previous booking GA at the last pregnancy (p = .004). CONCLUSION: Late initiation of antenatal care was high among pregnant women attending PHCs in the study area and it was not associated with measures of family dynamics. The predominant influence of husbands’ opinion on time of booking suggests the need for strategic outreach to males through relevant reproductive health educational campaigns.