Determinant of antenatal care compliance among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Background Pregnancy-associated complications are one of the leading causes of avoidable deaths in women of childbearing age across the globe. Although antenatal care (ANC) has been identified as the key intervention in early identification of complications with subsequent timely referral, yet, inadequate ANC attendance in Nigeria is considered a challenge to the national and global maternal mortality reduction. This study assessed the determinants of ANC compliance among pregnant women at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Methods The study utilised a cross-sectional descriptive design among 250 respondents. Data was collected utilising a simple random sampling technique among pregnant mothers attending ANC at UCH. The data were collected by a self-designed questionnaire, and knowledge was scored as high (30–40), moderate (20–29, or low (10–19). Compliance was classified as high (≥ 75%), moderate (50%-74%), and low (≤ 50%). High level of ANC knowledge was observed in about 55% (131) of the participants, moderate level in 35% (83), and 10% (24) had a low level of knowledge. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25, which included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Spearman’s rho correlation. Results The response rate in the study was 95.2% (n = 238/250) while the mean age of the respondents was 28.6 years ± 6.21. Respondents had an average of 4.69 ANC visits (± 2.15), with some attending as few as 1 and as many as 20 visits. 142(60%) of the respondents had high ANC attendance, while 83(35%) and 13(5%) had moderate and low attendance, respectively. There was a significant statistical association between educational level and ANC compliance (Spearman’s rho = 0.42, p = 0.004). The level of education, marriage, and urban residence were those factors that had a significant effect on ANC compliance. Conclusion Though knowledge and compliance with ANC services remain generally high, improvements are required in the quality of diagnostic services, financial access, and risk communication. Interventions targeted at the system, such as ANC knowledge programs and removing financial barriers, may improve maternal and neonatal health.