ANALYSIS OF DELAYED FIRST ANTENATAL CARE (ANC) VISITS AMONGPREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Abstract

The first antenatal care (ANC) visit before 12 weeks of gestation is crucial for early detection of pregnancy complications, allowing for timely treatment. This study aims to analyze the environmental, social (knowledge, age, parity, education, employment status, and attitudes), cultural, customary, and economic factors that cause delays in the first ANC visit. This research uses a descriptive quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. The population consists of 37 pregnant women who attended ANC after 12 weeks of gestation, selected through total sampling. Data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed descriptively as well as through path analysis. The results show that social factors include good knowledge (43%), age 20-35 years (75.7%), parity 2-5 children (59.5%), junior high school education (43.24%), unemployment (62.2%), and positive attitudes (54.1%). For environmental factors, 56.8% of mothers reported a positive environment. Cultural and customary factors were positive for 59.5% of mothers. Economic factors were sufficient for 43% of mothers. Path analysis revealed that environmental and cultural factors were the most significant contributors to delays in the first ANC visit, whereas social and economic factors showed no significant impact. Conclusion: Delays in the first ANC visit are primarily influenced by environmental and cultural factors.