Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women Towards Antenatal Care Attendance at General Hospital Enugu

Background: Adequate antenatal care attendance is a proven strategy for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, yet utilisation rates in many Nigerian tertiary and general hospitals remain suboptimal. This study investigates the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women towards antenatal care attendance at the General Hospital, Enugu, located in the South East geopolitical zone. Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was used as the primary data collection instrument. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27, applying descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Results: Most respondents demonstrated adequate general knowledge of antenatal care benefits; however, a notable proportion held misconceptions regarding the recommended number of visits. Educational attainment and spousal support were significantly associated with positive attitudes. Barriers cited included cost, distance, and long waiting times. Conclusion: Despite reasonable awareness levels, structural and social barriers continue to hinder optimal antenatal care utilisation in Enugu. Healthcare delivery reforms and targeted community sensitisation programmes led by family medicine teams are necessary to improve attendance rates and maternal health outcomes. Keywords: antenatal care, pregnant women, knowledge, attitude, Enugu