Utilization of antenatal care services and pregnancy outcomes of women in advanced maternal age in Sri Lanka
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1
Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
2
Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
Publication date: 2023-04-27
Popul. Med. 2023;5(Supplement):A1049
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Childbearing in latter part of reproductive age is a challenge. Adverse pregnancy outcomes increase with advanced (>35 years) maternal age (AMA) and many are preventable. Optimum antenatal care (ANC) is beneficial in minimizing negative outcomes of AMA. Objectives: We aimed to describe characteristics, utilization of ANC and pregnancy outcomes of AMA women delivering at a Teaching Hospital. We also assessed association between utilization of ANC services and selected pregnancy outcomes. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among 216 women aged >35 years delivered at Colombo North Teaching Hospital selected using a non-probability consecutive sampling method. Women were interviewed within 7 days postpartum inward using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Selected data were extracted from clinical records. Utilization of ANC was categorized using a scoring system and the association with pregnancy outcomes was assessed by applying Chi-square test. Results: A total of 216 AMA postpartum women (age range 35–45 years, mean 37.8 (SD=2.4)) were recruited (response rate 100%). Majority (91.7%, n=198) were multiparous. The current pregnancy was planned in 77.8% (n=168) and 52.7% (n=114) experienced antenatal morbidities. Adverse maternal (8.3%, n=18) and newborn (37%, n=80) outcomes were noted. Majority (75.9%, n=164) optimally utilized ANC. Sinhalese (OR=2.98, 95%CI 1.29–6.87, p=0.008), Buddhist (OR=2.53, 95%CI 1.33–4.80, p=0.004) women with intended pregnancies (OR=5.67, 95%CI 2.81–11.43, p<0.001) well utilized ANC. Women educated <10 years of formal education (OR=0.4, 95%CI 1.33–4.80, p=0.027), had contraceptive issues (OR=0.27, 95%CI 0.10–0.74, p=0.007) and had adverse newborn outcomes (OR=0.32, 95%CI 0.16–0.61, p=0.001) reported low tendency to utilize ANC. Conclusions: Many AMA women are multiparous and with planned pregnancies. Presence of adverse maternal & newborn outcomes is substantial. Majority well utilized ANC and it reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes. Effective strategies should be formulated to promote well-planned pregnancies in early reproductive ages of women.