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Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is the care women receive during pregnancy before birth and represents a cornerstone of maternal and child health. Previously, Saudi women faced various barriers to practicing ANC, including challenges related to transportation, low maternal education, poor communication with healthcare centers, and incorrect maternal beliefs. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, this multicenter cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the timing of ANC contact, coverage of service utilization in public hospitals among Saudi mothers, sociodemographic factors and antenatal health care utilization, and beliefs about prenatal vitamins, and supplement use among pregnant Saudi women. Methods: Data was collected from 1230 pregnant women across 11 Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities. The study assessed the timing of ANC initiation, beliefs about prenatal vitamins, and the use of folic acid, calcium, and iron during pregnancy. Chi-square tests were employed to analyze associations between variables. Results: The findings revealed that 14.55% of participants initiated ANC within the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, with 85.44% starting later. However, the majority 88.78% received prenatal care during pregnancy, regardless of the timing of ANC initiation. Beliefs about prenatal vitamins varied, with 20.08% agreeing that prenatal vitamins were only indicated for malnourished mothers, 72.35% disagreeing, and 7.56% uncertain. Moreover, 51.30% believed ANC should begin before pregnancy, 29.83% after pregnancy confirmation, and 13.57% during the first trimester, with no significant correlation between beliefs and ANC timing. Regarding prenatal care, 95.20% would recommend starting prenatal care with every pregnancy, regardless of the timing of their own ANC initiation. Conclusion: This study offers a comprehensive analysis of factors impacting late ANC contact and inadequate ANC contacts among pregnant Saudi women. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of ANC practices among Saudi women and underscore the importance of considering various determinants for tailored interventions and health education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally, unjustified medication use during pregnancy, a critical phase in human life, is a threat that compromises the safety of both, the mother and the child. We aim to investigate the prevalence of over-the-counter (OTC) or non-prescription and prescription medication use during pregnancy in women from the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the level of prior knowledge, and the sources of their information about medication hazard/safety.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-administered questionnaire for 287 pregnant women visiting King Saud Medical City (KSMC) – outpatient departments for routine antenatal care during 3 months (1st Mar– 31st May 2021). The questionnaire was developed by Navaro et al with 4 sections: socio-demographic data, medication use during pregnancy, level of knowledge, and relevant sources of information.Results: The participants had a mean age of 32.21 years ± 6.41 (SD), and gestational age of 23.67 weeks ± 8.47. About 76.66% of them reported using medication during their current pregnancy: predominantly prescribed (86.36%). Women who used medication during pregnancy were slightly older; the mean difference was 1.97 years (95% CI 0.23– 3.71) (P=0.027). Women living in an urban environment as compared with rural had a higher prevalence of medication use (79.01% vs 52%) (P=0.002). Overall, 58.19% reported using non-prescribed medications during pregnancy, with analgesics as the most frequently used class (70.30%). The mild nature of the illnesses and availability of an old prescription and information from pharmacists were the main reasons for self-medication. About 40.77% denied receiving any information about medication use during pregnancy.Conclusion: The prevalence of the medication use during pregnancy in our population is alarmingly high. Analgesics were the most frequently used. Lack of adequate information from treating physicians appears to be contributory to self-medication during this critical time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suicide ideation and attempt are common among pregnant women, risk factors for completed suicide, and associated adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. It is under-recognized and has not been investigated well in low-income countries like Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with suicide ideation and attempt among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at public hospitals in southern Ethiopia. Methods: A group of 762 pregnant women who were attending the antenatal service at public hospitals in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia, selected by a systematic random sampling technique, took part in an interview. A Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to measure suicide ideation and attempt. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the associated factors. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used for reporting the result with a p-value< 0.05 statistical significance level. Results: The prevalence of suicide ideation and attempt among pregnant women was 11.8% and 2.7%, respectively. Unplanned pregnancy (AOR=2.01, 95% CI=1.04– 3.88), poor social support (AOR=3.29, 95% CI=1.62– 6.68), common mental disorders (AOR=2.77, 95% CI=1.50– 5.09), and lifetime suicide ideation (AOR=4.63, 95% CI=2.63– 8.16) were factors significantly associated with suicide ideation. Social support was the only correlated factor with suicide attempt among pregnant mothers. Conclusion: The prevalence of suicide ideation and attempt among pregnant women was found to be high. Intervention strategies towards suicidal ideation and attempt should consider improving social support and antenatal related common mental disorders with a primary focus on women with unplanned pregnancy and prior history of suicide ideation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While patients' satisfaction is a barometer for healthcare quality, Myanmar did not do enough to assess the antenatal care (ANC) satisfaction. Objective: In this study, we aim to assess the satisfaction level of pregnant women with ANC services provided by a public hospital in Myanmar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 125 women in the quantitative and 27 in the qualitative study at South Okkalapa Women and Children Hospital in Myanmar. Satisfaction was measured by using a five-point Likert scale with 25-item services. Statistical software SPSS version 16 was used for quantitative data analysis. Qualitative data were manually analyzed by thematic analysis. Results: The proportion of pregnant women who were satisfied with healthcare services ranged from 18% to 35%. Provider's service yielded satisfaction ranging between 25% and 35%; meanwhile, facilities in the waiting area had the lowest mean score (2.78) for satisfaction. Laboratory service and waiting time at the antenatal clinic were major sources of dissatisfaction. Overall, 48% of the pregnant women were in high satisfaction with ANC services. Out of 25 items, cleanliness of ANC clinic, the process of ANC procedure, drug supply by the hospital, ventilation, and lighting in the waiting area, waiting time to see doctors, and working hours (availability of services) showed significant association with overall satisfaction. Conclusion: Nearly half of the pregnant women in the study were very satisfied with the total healthcare services they received. Facilities in the waiting area, laboratory service, and waiting time to see doctors were dissatisfied services and need to be upgraded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Enrollment to antenatal care (ANC) is still not universal in Ethiopia. This study examines whether household food insecurity affects antenatal care attendance or not, as well as other factors associated with antenatal care. As optimal antenatal care is vital for the improvement of maternal and child health, the study will contribute to the efforts in improving maternal and child health. Patients and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 707 pregnant women at or above 3 months of self-reported pregnancy in Southern Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling was employed to obtain the study units. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the independent factors associated with study outcome. Results: Out of a total of 707 study subjects, the majority (71%) of the study women visited a health facility for ANC service. The odds of ANC use was lower for women who were not in marital union (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.16– 0.97), and those from food insecure households (AOR=0.50, 95% CI=0.32– 0.79). ANC attendance was higher for women from high socio-economic status (AOR=2.62, 95% CI=1.29– 5.29), with planned pregnancy (AOR=1.82, 95% CI=1.16– 2.85) and a perceived risk from danger signs (AOR=4.32, 95% CI=1.60– 11.67). Conclusion: While the overall ANC use was high, women experiencing food insecurity and those with unplanned pregnancy were having lower odds of ANC attendance among others. Interventions targeting at enhancing women's attendance to ANC service might be realized through commitment from the agriculture, economic, as well as health sectors by increasing productivity and providing special attention to women in the pre-pregnancy and pregnancy period. Moreover, educating women so that they can recognize that every pregnancy is risky and promotion of family planning to reduce unplanned pregnancy could improve attendance to the ANC service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]