Results: Among 322 women delivered during period of four months, majority (87%) reported of attending more than 4
antenatal visits, only 21 (6.5%) women had not attended ANC. The most preferred place of ANC was hospital (71.6%).
Women with secondary education and above, business/service holders, 20-29 years age group, primigravida and Brahmin
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likely to attend. Financial problem (52.4%) followed by ignorance (28.6%) were the most commonly stated reasons for
not attending ANC. Women attending attending more than 4 antenatal visits have more chance of full immunization with
tetanus toxoid and iron supplementation. Most of the women started attending ANC from their second trimester (75.8%),
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women who had attended ANC, because of the fact that all elective cesarean section were planned in these women only.
Also, all inductions of labor (9.3%) were performed among them. Maternal complications like anemia and pregnancy
induced hypertension occurred more commonly in women without ANC. The proportion of low birth weight and preterm
babies was higher in women with inadequate or no ANC. Special care baby unit (SCBU) admission was also higher among
them due to various reasons like neonatal sepsis, birth asphyxia, jaundice etc. While there were no neonatal deaths during
the study period, 3 still births have occurred. Perinatal mortality rate was similar in no ANC and inadequate ANC groups; it
was 16 times higher than that in the group with more than 4 visits. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were found to be better
in women who attended regular ANC.
Conclusions:$OWKRXJKWKHDWWHQGDQFHRI$1&LVTXLWHHQFRXUDJLQJWKHSURSRUWLRQRIZRPHQDWWHQGLQJ$1& IURP¿UVW
trimester is low. The quality of antenatal care needs to be strengthened. The health system needs to ensure the availability of
ANC in primary care level and to establish mobile clinics for those living far from the health facilities.
Keywords: Antenatal care, delivery, maternal complications