Antenatal Care Paradox: Exploring the Gap between Antenatal Care Utilization and Pregnancy Outcome
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Antenatal care is the care given to the pregnant women from conception till birth. It is a structured program of observation, education and medical management of pregnant lady aimed at making pregnancy and birth a positive experience.Objective: To find out the association of antenatal care utilization with pregnancy outcomes.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was done in Obstetrics and Gynaecology department, Nishtar Hospital and Tertiary Care Hospital Nishtar- II, Multan. A sample of 362 women was included using non-probability convenient sampling technique. A questionnaire which included mother’s demographic data, antenatal care utilization data, antepartum complications, postpartum complications and data related to pregnancy outcomes was administered. Results: Among 362 women, mean age was 28.9 ±6.5 % women was among 25-34 years of age. Regarding antenatal care utilization, 136 (37.5%) women had 7 to 10 antenatal visits. 302(83.2%) women had adequate iron and calcium intake. Among 362 women, 87.1 % (316) delivered via cesarean section 12.9% (47) women delivered via spontaneous vaginal delivery. Around 10.7% (39) babies were still born and 324 (89.3%) women delivered alive baby. The variables that impacted the pregnancy outcome (alive or dead) were; number of ANC visits (p<0.001), age of mother (p=0.03) and level of education (p=0.004) and tetanus vaccination (p<0.001) while occupation, area of residency and socioeconomic status have no impact (p>0.05) on pregnancy outcome.Conclusion: Health education about the value of prenatal care, along with the improvement of health facilities particularly in remote areas, will lead to frequent prenatal visits, leading to healthier pregnancy outcomes.
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7152364795
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