Factors affecting women's access to antenatal care services

Abstract

The aim of this study was to quantitatively investigate the antenatal care provided by healthcare physicians in a rural area of North East Anatolia, Turkey, and the effective factors. Patients who applied to a Second-tier health institution for delivery were asked how many times they went for a check-up during their pregnancy. In addition, the sociodemographic characteristics of the responding patients were recorded. In this study, the rate of pregnant women who received inadequate antenatal care was 41.0%. Examining the risk factors for inadequate antenatal care in pregnant women who attended fewer than four antenatal care visits revealed that the risk was 2,115 (confidence interval [CI] = 1.328–3.368) times higher for those receiving spousal education for <5. Longer years than those with ≥6 years of partner training. Pregnant women who received inadequate antenatal care in the North East Anatolia region preferred to visit Secondary and Tertiary healthcare institutions instead of visiting primary care physicians. In conclusion, it is necessary to establish a referral chain through health plans and expand Primary antenatal care services to reduce both maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.