Mlambo Siphesihle P, Ibeziako Ozoemena J
Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria.
S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2025 Apr 23;67(1):e1-e7. doi: 10.4102/safp.v67i1.6093.
Maternal and perinatal deaths remain significant despite various strategies that have been implemented. Antenatal care (ANC) for pregnant women is crucial in reducing maternal and child mortality. Delayed ANC is associated with several maternal and foetal complications, which can be prevented through timely intervention. Previous studies have identified various factors contributing to the late initiation of ANC, and although recommendations have been made and implemented, there has been no impact. Objectives were to determine and rank the factors contributing to the delayed initiation of ANC among pregnant women attending a community health centre in the Tembisa township and to explore potential strategies for the early initiation of ANC.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated questionnaire on pregnant women attending their first ANC after 20 weeks of gestation.
Multiple variables affecting the early initiation of ANC were identified, namely healthcare workers' behaviour, negative attitude, operational management factors and participants' socio-economic standing. Staff counselling, support and training in holistic maternal healthcare, as well as accurate, uniform and consistent health educational information that recognises and addresses cultural beliefs, could encourage early initiation of ANC.
Staff empowerment and support for maternal health care through wellness services are crucial. Clinic operational management should adopt best practices to address prolonged time spent accessing services. Relevant health educational information for change should be provided.Contribution: The study's findings offer insights into the factors that delay the timely initiation of ANC and strategies to mitigate these delays.
尽管已实施了各种策略，但孕产妇和围产期死亡情况仍然严重。孕妇的产前保健对于降低孕产妇和儿童死亡率至关重要。产前保健延迟与多种孕产妇和胎儿并发症相关，而这些并发症可通过及时干预得以预防。以往研究已确定了导致产前保健开始延迟的各种因素，尽管已提出并实施了相关建议，但并未产生影响。本研究的目的是确定并排列在滕比萨镇社区卫生中心就诊的孕妇中导致产前保健开始延迟的因素，并探索产前保健早期开始的潜在策略。
采用经过验证的问卷对妊娠20周后首次进行产前保健的孕妇进行横断面调查。
确定了影响产前保健早期开始的多个变量，即医护人员的行为、消极态度、运营管理因素以及参与者的社会经济地位。对医护人员进行全面孕产妇保健方面的咨询、支持和培训，以及提供准确、统一且一致的健康教育信息，同时认识并处理文化信仰问题，可能会促使产前保健的早期开始。
通过健康服务增强工作人员能力并为孕产妇保健提供支持至关重要。诊所运营管理应采用最佳做法来解决获取服务耗时过长的问题。应提供相关的促进改变的健康教育信息。贡献：该研究结果为导致产前保健未能及时开始的因素以及减轻这些延迟的策略提供了见解。
