Effect of Attending Eight Antenatal Care Contacts on Adverse Perinatal Outcomes among Postnatal Mothers in Jimma Town Public Health Facilities Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Adverse perinatal outcome encompasses complications during pregnancy, labor, and delivery affecting maternal and neonatal health. While antenatal care reduces these risks by detecting and managing complications early, developing countries still face higher rates of adverse outcomes, necessitating improved interventions. Thus, WHO introduced a new eight contact antenatal care model to enhance positive pregnancy outcomes. However, research on its effectiveness in reducing adverse perinatal outcomes in in study area is lacking. Thus, this study aimed to assess its effect in Jimma Town Health Facilities. Objective: To assess the effect of eight antenatal care contacts on adverse perinatal outcomes among postnatal mothers in Jimma Town public health facilities, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2024 Methods: A facility-based retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted from Sept 1 to 30, 2024 among 420 mothers who delivered in Jimma Town public health facilities. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and medical record reviews. Data quality checked through pre-test, training was provided to data collectors, and assigning supervisor. The data were entered, and coded into Epidata 4.2. and exported to SPSS version 27 for further analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses was used and RR/OR with 95% confidence interval was used to measure strength of association. Results: The prevalence of adverse perinatal outcome among women with 8 ANC contact was 14.7% vs 23.7 in those without 8 ANC contacts. Multivariable analysis showed that having eight ANC contacts resulted a 39% reduction in the odds of adverse perinatal outcomes (AOR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.49–0.71). positive predictors like primiparity [AOR = 1.478 (95%CI: 1.224-1.872)], unplanned pregnancy [AOR= 2.39 (95%CI: 1.21-3.23], and negative predictors like college or higher education [AOR = 0.453(95% CI: 0.289-0.571)], an income of 10000 ETB or more [AOR = 0.41 (95% CI: 0.21-0.52), and place of ANC follow- up in hospital [AOR = 0.46 (0.29-0.56)] were identified. Conclusion and recommendation: Completion of eight ANC contacts significantly reduced the risk of adverse outcomes. Strengthening eight ANC contact should be prioritized by health care providers and local health authorities to enhance positive perinatal outcomes