Perceptions of late antenatal care visits in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

Abstract

Background:Latevisitsantenatal care (ANC) in the first trimester during the COVID-19 pandemic, increases mortality and morbidity for both mother and baby due to not being screened in the early stage of pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influence the late invisits antenatal care (ANC) in the firsttrimester pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This study used purposive sampling to recruit eight pregnant women and three keys information to obtain data through interviews. The informants involved in this study were pregnant women who came to the primary health center for the first time after the first trimester. The key informants involved were midwives who work in the MCH unit. Informants in this study were voluntary and have agreed to use informed consent. The data obtained were recorded and analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: The results of this study found that there were several factors, namely obstacles in the form of access in health facilities that were less supportive with the presence of COVID-19, such as there were still many queues that cause crowding and there were health worker who have said rudely to clients. Furthermore the distance from health facility to the patients’ home is far away. The next finding was self-efficacy in the form of support from partners and responses from parents. The lack of support from their partners caused pregnant women who came to health facility have to wait for their husbands first. The response of parents being embarrassed by their child as pregnant women who are still young and studyingat school resulted in lateof ANC visits in the first trimester during the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusion: Thelate in ANC visits for pregnant women in the first trimester is influenced by several factors, namely inadequate access to health facilities, long distance to health facilities, and lack of support from partners and parents.