Assessment of the outcome of antenatal care on maternal and fetal health using secondary data of pregnant women

Antenatal care (ANC) is a critical component of maternal and child health. This study examined the relationship between antenatal care attendance and maternal and fetal outcomes among pregnant women attending ALGON Health Centre, Eyin Grammar, Ibadan, between January 2023 and December 2024. Data were obtained from the hospital records. The findings revealed that Islam was the dominant religion (56.1%). The Yoruba ethnic group constituted the majority (81.9%). The study showed a high level of ANC utilization, with 345 (92.7%) of respondents attending at least four ANC visits. Specifically, 91.5% attended at least four visits in 2023, increasing to 94.1% in 2024, indicating improved compliance. Maternal health outcomes demonstrated that complications such as anemia, pre-eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, and maternal mortality were more prevalent among women who attended fewer than four ANC visits. Notably, postpartum hemorrhage and maternal mortality occurred only among women with inadequate ANC attendance. Fetal outcomes followed similar trend, as respondents with adequate ANC attendance recorded better birth outcomes, including higher proportions of normal birth weight and reduced cases of preterm delivery, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality. Conversely, poor fetal outcomes were more common among women with fewer ANC visits. Furthermore, pregnancy-related complications varied across trimesters, with anemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension more common in the first trimester, preterm delivery in the second trimester, and postpartum hemorrhage and hypertension more prominent in the third trimester. The study concluded that adequate and consistent antenatal care attendance plays a significant role in improving maternal and fetal health outcomes and reducing pregnancy-related complications. Keywords: antenatal care; Maternal outcomes; Fetal outcomes; Pregnancy complications; Retrospective study