Abstract

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) services are primarily concerned with the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy associated health disorders. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore perceptions of early ANC access among pregnant women in Western Region 1, The Gambia.
Methods: The study uses a qualitative phenomenological design and was conducted at the Sukuta and Serekunda health centers. The study population consisted of nineteen pregnant women who received ANC services at these facilities and were purposively selected. An interview guide of ten open ended questions was developed by the researcher. Data was collected through in depth interviews. These were audio recorded and later transcribed verbatim. Ethical approval was granted by The Gambia Government-MRC joint Ethical Committee and study participants. Thematic data analyzes was done manually.
Results: Out of the study sample, almost all the women indicated that the ideal timing to initiating care before 20 week, but only five of these women initiated early ANC registration. The following six (6) themes were identified: (a) perceived notion of early ANC; (b) need help to prevent complications; (c) perceived barriers to early ANC services; (d) perceived risk for late ANC booking (e) strategies to facilitate early ANC and (f) perception on provider/client relationship.
Conclusion: Though the women seem to have a positive perception about early booking into antenatal care, there is a critical need to strengthen health education of women on the benefits of early initiating to ANC services. The educational sessions should include family and community participation in order to deal with the barriers that affect early booking.