Page 110 - GHES-2-2

Global Health Econ Sustain Antenatal care attendance

2.4.1. Socio-demographic and parasitological exact tests were used. Differences in means of continuous
questionnaire variables between facilities were tested using t-tests, and
in cases where the requirements for t-tests were not met,
Different structured questionnaires were designed for data
collection from participants at both ANC and delivery particularly regarding the normality of the data, Wilcoxon
rank-sum tests were used. The threshold for statistical
units, administered through face-to-face interviews.
Section A of the questionnaires for both ANC and delivery significance in the analysis was set as a p-value of 0.05.
participants collected socio-demographic information, 3. Results
including marital status, employment, and occupation.
Section B of the questionnaires for both ANC and delivery A total of 1295 consenting pregnant women participated in
participants collated pregnancy-related information, the study, comprising 752 from AGH and 543 from BCH.
such as primigravidae or multigravidae status, along with Among them, 831 attended their first ANC visit, while 464
the number of pregnancies and children per participant. participated during delivery. Of the 831 ANC participants,
ANC participants were assessed for their knowledge of the 451 were from AGH and 380 from BCH, while the 464
importance of ANC services, while delivery participants delivery participants consisted of 301 from AGH and 163
provided data on the number of IPTp doses received, and the from BCH.
total number of ANC visits made. In addition, this section 3.1. Sociodemographic characteristics
included information on parasitological infections, such as
malaria, along with tests for confirmation and treatment The mean ages were 25.9 (±6.5) years at AGH and 27.4
received. Sections C and D of the questionnaires for both (±6.0) years at BCH, with the majority falling within
ANC and delivery participants focused on knowledge about the age ranges of 20–29 and 30–39 years, respectively
malaria, consisting of six questions related to symptoms (Table 1). A Chi-square test revealed statistically significant
and prevention of infection. Section E of the questionnaires differences in age distribution across the health facilities
2
for both ANC and delivery participants was about the usage (χ [3] = 17.89; p < 0.001).
of insecticide-treated bed nets for malaria prevention and While most pregnant women accessed ANC clinics
consisted of six questions. Section F of the questionnaires close to their residence, a small proportion, 1.1% from
for the ANC participants was used to collate data on access Adidome, was captured accessing BCH for their first ANC
to health facilities. Section F of the questionnaires for the visit, while 7.8% from Battor were captured at Adidome.
delivery participants and Section G of the questionnaires for The study also revealed that more pregnant women from
the ANC participants dealt with knowledge about risks and “other communities” accessed BCH (45.8%) than AGH
prevention during pregnancy (four questions). Section G of (5.1%) for their first ANC visit. The majority of participants
the questionnaires for the delivery participants and Section with basic education, i.e., primary and junior high
H of the questionnaires for the ANC participants were used school, accessed AGH, while the majority of participants
to collect clinical information such as temperature, blood with secondary and tertiary education accessed BCH
pressure, hemoglobin level, and gestational stage from the (Table 1). The mean gestational age at the first ANC visit
participants. consultation was 14.6 (±7.3) weeks at AGH and 16.4 (±6.9)
weeks at BCH (t = 3.50, p < 0.001). A higher proportion of
2.5. Data capture and analysis multigravidae was observed at both health centers.
Information regarding age, gravidity status, residence, The Chi-square analysis revealed a significant
marital status, educational level, occupation, and knowledge association between formal education and the choice
about malaria, its prevention, and associated risks during of health facility (χ [4] = 37.96; p < 0.001). Married
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pregnancy was gathered through questionnaires and participants were more likely to choose BCH over AGH
analyzed using STATA. Participants provided information for ANC compared to single and cohabiting individuals,
on malaria infection during their first ANC visit during the with a statistically significant difference observed in
questionnaire interview. However, at the time of delivery, marital status and the choice of health facility (χ [2] =
2
malaria infection status was retrieved from hospital records 83.92; p < 0.001). In addition, a higher proportion of
found in the participant’s ANC booklets. Total ANC multigravidae was reported at BCH, whereas a higher
attendance data were also extracted from ANC booklets. proportion of primigravidae was observed at AGH.
For association analysis, the various variables and
factors were compared concerning the choice of facility 3.2. Accessibility of health facilities
using Chi-square tests. In instances where the assumptions Although 65.2% of respondents did not consider the
for Chi-square tests were not met (frequencies <5), Fisher’s hospitals far from their houses, only 12.4% of them reached

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.2336