FACTORS INFLUENCING INITIATION OF ANTENATAL CARE WITHIN THE FIRST 12 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN VISITING ANTENATAL CIINICS IN PHIBUN RAK DISTRICT, UDON THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

            This study is a descriptive study with the objectives of study of the rate of first antenatal care within 12 weeks and factors influencing the first antenatal visit within 12 weeks of pregnant women attending antenatal care in Phibun-rak district ,Udon-thani province. The sample consisted of 340 pregnant women. The samples were obtained using multistage random sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square test and multiple logistic.The results showed that 46 percent for pregnant women initiated antenatal care within the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy. History of high risk (OR =52.16, 95%, CI = 15.33-177.53, p < .001) attitude towards antenatal care (OR = 52.43, 95%, CI = 10.24-265.57, p < .001) family support for antenatal care (OR = 22.56, 95%, CI =3.38-150.86, p = .001)  knowledge of antenatal care (OR = 4.31, 95%, CI = 1.31-12.27, p =.015) and having moderate level and high level of family income ((OR = 7.26, 95%, CI =1.56-33.58, p =.011, OR = 13.34, 95%, CI =2.67-66.77, p =.002 respectively) were found to be significant influencing factors of initiation of antenatal care within the first 12 weeks. Findings of the study suggested that health care providers should enhance women’s knowledge and positive attitude towards antenatal care, and promote family support to increase the rate of antenatal care within the first 12 weeks.