Factors associated with late antenatal care attendance in selected rural and urban communities of the copperbelt province of Zambia

Abstract

Background: Despite antenatal care services being provided free of charge or sometimes at a minimal cost in Zambia, only 19% of women attend antenatal care by their fourth month of pregnancy, as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). An estimated 21% of pregnant women in urban and 18% in rural districts make th their first ANC visit by 4 months of pregnancy. A number of factors have been found to contribute to late initiation of Antenatal care among pregnant women and these may vary between rural and urban areas. Therefore, a study aimed at examining factors associated with late ANC attendance amongst pregnant women in selected communities of the Copperbelt Province was conducted. Methodology: A cross- sectional study using a semi- structured questionnaire was conducted in selected health facilities of Mpongwe and Ndola districts. A total number of 613 women attending antenatal clinic, distributed evenly between Mpongwe rural district (51% (307/613) and Ndola urban district (49% (306/613) were included in the study. Data from the completed questionnaires was