Wdad Alanazy|Amy Brown
Individual and healthcare system factors influencing antenatal care attendance in Saudi Arabia
Swansea University|Swansea University
world health organisation recommends women least four antenatal care visits anc low risk pregnancy however saudi arabia many mothers miss appointments placing health baby risk limited research explored happening focused low maternal education personal barriers lack transport aim current research therefore understand factors individual healthcare systems level associated missing antenatal care saudi arabiatwo hundred fortytwo pregnant women third trimester completed questionnaire examining care attendance appointments missed planned future attendance timing first appointment alongside barriers attending care included maternal demographic background health literacy personal barriers health care system factors staff communicationover half women surveyed missed least one appointment third delayed care mothers missed delayed appointments blamed health care system factors poor clinic facilities waiting times attending care associated maternal education literacy although mothers lower level literacy likely delay care however perceptions staff communication consistency care lower amongst mothers missed least one appointmentalthough previous research health professionals believe maternal education leads poor attendance sample least perceptions staff communication clinic facilities instead associated attendance making changes health care level eg adapting clinic times investing staff training may increase antenatal care attendance saudi arabia