Prevalence and associated factors of delay antenatal care at public health institutions in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Antenatal care is critical for women’s and unborn children’s health. In Ethiopia there is still a delay in getting antenatal care visit in the first trimester as recommended by the World Health Organization. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of delayed antenatal care visits and associated factors among pregnant women who attend antenatal care at a public health facility in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted between August 20 to September 15/2021. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 392 women. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire through a face-to-face interview. Epi Info version 7 and SSPS 26.0 were used for data entry and further analysis. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval at p-value < 0.05 was declared that the outcome can be statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 392 study participants with a response rate of 98% were participated. The mean age of study participants was 29.1 ± 6.5 (SD) years. In this study, the prevalence of delay antenatal care was 63.8%( 95% CI: 58.9, 68.9). Age (Adjusted odds ratio = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.93), types of health facilities (Adjusted odds ratio = 2.02; 95% CI :( 1.12, 3.64), and satisfaction with health service (Adjusted odds ratio = 3.23, 95%CI: (2.02, 5.16) were significantly associated with delay antenatal care. CONCLUSION: The current study found high prevalence of delay antenatal care. Age between 31 and 34, hospital health facility and satisfaction with health service quality were associated factors for delay antenatal care visit. To begin antenatal care follow-up in the recommended time frame, a collaborative effort between the Minister of Health, health facilities, and relevant stakeholders is needed.