TITLE:
The effect of urine pregnancy testing on timing of accessing antenatal care and abortion services in Western Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Mustafa Adelaja Lamina
KEYWORDS:
Urine Pregnancy Testing; Timing; Accessing; Antenatal; Abortion
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.3 No.6,
July
26,
2013
ABSTRACT: Objective:
Effective confirmation of pregnancy is a basic component of reproductive health
services. It is a determinant for accessing antenatal care (ANC) if the pregnancy
is wanted and abortion services if the pregnancy is unwanted. This study
examined the effect of urine pregnancy testing in the timing of presentation
for pregnancy care. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 320
women presenting for antenatal care and 300 women presenting for abortion at
private sector clinics in Western Nigeria. Results: The median age at first
presentation was 20 weeks for ANC clients and 8 weeks for abortion clients.
Obtaining urine pregnancy test of one’s accord was associated with a decrease
in the gestational age at presentation of 3.7 weeks and 1.5 weeks for antenatal
and abortion clients, respectively, independent of all other factors. Conclusion:
Bearing in mind that the clinical benefit and public health impact of early
presentation for antenatal and abortion services are unequivocal, strategies
aimed at decreasing gestational age at presentation for pregnancy care should
be given priority. “Fast-track” urine pregnancy testing services should be
promoted in the private and public clinics in Nigeria.