Study of Antenatal Care Attendance and Associated Factors Among Adolescent Mothers in Imo State

Adolescent pregnancy carries disproportionate obstetric risk, and adequate antenatal care is a critical intervention for mitigating complications in this high-risk group. Despite this, adolescent mothers in Nigeria often demonstrate lower antenatal care attendance than adult mothers. This study examined antenatal care attendance and associated factors among adolescent mothers aged 15 to 19 in Owerri Municipal LGA, Imo State, South East Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 adolescent mothers who had delivered in the preceding 12 months, recruited from two public hospitals and four PHC facilities through consecutive sampling. A structured questionnaire assessed number of antenatal visits, gestational age at booking, barriers to ANC attendance, support systems, and sociodemographic characteristics. Results showed that adequate antenatal care (four or more visits) was achieved by only 48.2 percent of respondents. First ANC booking occurred after the first trimester in 66.8 percent of cases. Barriers cited included fear of healthcare worker stigmatising attitudes (59.1 percent), shame regarding the pregnancy (51.8 percent), partner non-support (44.5 percent), and transportation cost (38.6 percent). Maternal educational status (p < 0.001), family support (p < 0.001), and positive previous facility experience (p < 0.01) were significant predictors of adequate ANC attendance. The study recommends adolescent-friendly antenatal services, non-judgmental healthcare provider training, and community support group development for pregnant adolescents in Imo State. Keywords: antenatal care, adolescent mothers, teenage pregnancy, Imo State, South East Nigeria