Awareness and Utilisation of Antenatal Services by Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State

ABSTRACTThis study assessed awareness and utilisation of antenatal services by pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at ISTH Irrua, Edo State. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 195 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at ISTH Irrua, Edo State. Convenience sampling was used in selecting the study participants. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The result of this study showed that majority (98.5%) about the need to visit antenatal clinics when pregnancy is confirmed. The result also revealed high level awareness of ANC services such as immunization and provision of routine drugs (91.3%), weighing and examination of the abdomen (99%), screening of blood and urine (89.7%), provision of health information on the preparation for delivery (92.8%), and monitoring growing baby and mother's health (97.4%). Majority, (97.4%) of women of childbearing reported at clinic as soon as pregnancy status was confirmed. Respondents claimed to have received various forms of antenatal care services such as health talk on good nutrition and exclusive breast feeding, examination of abdomen and weighing session, screening of blood and urine session at equal percentages and receive vitamin supplements during ANC visit (88.2%, 90.3%, 73.3% and 57.4% respectively). The main barrier to the use of antenatal care services was prolong waiting time in the hospital (88.7%). This was followed by distance to the hospital (74.4%) and behaviours of health workers (72.3%).This study showed that the awareness and use of antenatal care services among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital was high. Efforts should be directed towards addressing these barriers to ANC use, quality improvement to increase ANC services utilization and satisfaction, and maximal contacts between the woman, the service providers and the health services.