Perceptions of focused prenatal care among women attending two tertiary centers in Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
To determine women's perceptions and expectations of focused prenatal care visits.


METHODS
The present questionnaire-based, cross-sectional survey was performed among pregnant women in their third trimester attending two tertiary health centers in southern Nigeria between January and March 2012. Obstetric data, histories, and information on preferences for prenatal visits were obtained using questionnaires.


RESULTS
A total of 353 questionnaires were appropriately completed. Among 277 participants who stated a preference for the number of prenatal care visits, 241 (87.0%) reported a preference of more than four. Among 203 parous women, 132 (65.0%) had no previous negative obstetric experience. Only previous stillbirth (odds ratio [OR] 2.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-6.77; P = 0.039) among multiparous women, and HIV/AIDS (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.06-1.17; P = 0.048) among all women were significantly associated with a preference for more prenatal visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Previous negative obstetric experiences did not generally affect preference for prenatal visits. However, pregnant women expressed dissatisfaction with a reduced number of visits.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; Effective Care Research Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. Electronic address: georgel21@yahoo.com.
George U
GU
Eleje
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal Medical Center, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
Daniel N
DN
Onwusulu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; Effective Care Research Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Chukwuemeka O
CO
Ezeama
Effective Care Research Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; Office of the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Evaristus A
EA
Afiadigwe
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan State University School of Medicine/Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI, USA.
Ahizechukwu C
AC
Eke
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; Effective Care Research Unit, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Joseph I
JI
Ikechebelu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Joseph O
JO
Ugboaja
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ayodele O
AO
Okwuosa
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D009819:Office Visits; D057240:Patient Preference; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D055815:Young Adult
Focused prenatal care; Perceptions; Preference