Factors Associated with Inadequate Antenatal Contacts at the Yaounde Central Hospital in Cameroon

Abstract

Background Until 2015, 4 Antenatal Contacts (ANC) was the World Health Organisation (WHO) preferred model for pregnancy follow-up. Given concerns about adverse births, at least 8 ANC have been recommended since 2016 in resource-limited settings. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among women who had delivered within the last 24 hours in Yaounde Central Hospital (YCH), Cameroon, between June 8th and August 7th 2021. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with Inadequate ANC (IANC). Analyses were done using Epi Info 7.0. Any P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Of the 200 participants enrolled, the majority (70.5%) had IANC and the mean age was 28.0 ± 6.7 years. Referrals women were more likely to have IANC than non-referrals, with an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of 5.4 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 2.2–12.9; P < 0.001). Likewise, unmarried women were more likely to have IANC than married, with an AOR of 2.5 (95% CI: 1.2–5.4; P < 0.001). Conclusions About 7 out of 10 women who delivered at the YCH had IANC. Accordingly, risk factors for IANC should be monitored throughout pregnancy particularly among young women in Cameroon.