Predictors of Early Antenatal Care Booking in Government Health Facilities of Hossana Town, Hadiya Zone, South Ethiopia: Unmatched Case Control Study

Background: Early entry to antenatal care is important for early detection and treatment of adverse pregnancy related outcomes. However, only 11% of Ethiopian women had an antenatal care visit before their fourth month of pregnancy, as recommended by world health organization. Hence, this study was aimed to assess predictors of early ante natal booking in government health facilities of Hossana town, Hadiya zone, South Ethiopia. Methods: Health facility based an unmatched case control study was conducted in government health facilities in Hossana town, from December, 1/2014-April, 30/2015 using interviewer guided questionnaire. Total sample size was 255 (85 cases and 170 controls) and taken from all government health facilities in case to control ratio 1:2 until the total sample of cases and controls obtained. Bivariate regression analysis was done and all explanatory variables associated with early ANC booking at p-value <0.25 were entered in to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Finally, p-value <0.05 was used to identify independent predictors of early antenatal booking. Results: Visiting antenatal care alone [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=3.43(95% confidence interval (CI: 1.06, 11.09)], being employed in non-governmental organizations [AOR=6.82(95%CI: 1.56, 29.77)], venders [AOR=6.25(95%CI: 2.16, 18.06)], housewife [AOR= 3.3(95%CI: 1.09, 9.97)], perceived time of antenatal care initiation at < 4 months of pregnancy [AOR= 5.51(95%CI: 1.28, 23.67)], recognition of pregnancy at 1-2 months [AOR= 7.21(95%CI: 2.47, 21.08)] and perceived number of 4 and more antenatal care visit per pregnancy [AOR=3.53(95%CI: 1.22, 10.21)] were independent predictors of early antenatal care booking among pregnant women attending antenatal care unit in government health facilities of Hossana town. Conclusions and recommendations: Health service managers, health care providers, Medias and community at large should give emphasis for the predictors of early antenatal booking like number of antenatal care visit per pregnancy, early recognition of pregnancy and time of antenatal care initiation to improve early antenatal care booking and to enable women benefit from the services in Hossana town.