Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Booked and Un-booked Pregnancies in Benin City, Southern Nigeria: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Nigeria contributes more obstetric, postpartum, and neonatal deaths and stillbirths than any other country globally. Booking and  receiving antenatal care (ANC) is a vehicle for multiple interventions and programmes which improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study  was conducted to assess and compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes of booked and un-booked pregnancies in Benin City, Southern Nigeria.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional total population study was carried out among booked and un-booked in-patients who had delivered either  in a secondary or a tertiary health facility in Benin City. Data was collected using an intervieweradministered questionnaire and patients case notes.  Maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed as favourable and unfavourable and compared with booking status. A p-value <0.05 was  considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 390 (260 booked and 130 un-booked) women, with a mean age (SD) of 30.86 ± 5.77 years (booked) and 28.48 ± 6.22 years (un-  booked), participated in the study. A higher proportion, 56 (43.1%) of un-booked women had obstetric complications compared to booked women,  85 (32.7%) (p = 0.044). Fetal morbidity was 9 (3.5%) in booked mothers, compared to 21 (16.2%) of un-booked mothers. (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Maternal and neonatal outcomes were better in booked pregnancies. Stakeholders should ensure provision of health and hospital  policies aimed at improving ANC to prevent poor maternal and neonatal outcomes.