Bridging the gap: Awareness and barriers to antenatal care among pregnant women in a tertiary health-care facility; single center study

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is a crucial component of maternal health services aimed at ensuring the well-being of both mother and fetus during pregnancy. Despite increased institutional deliveries and policy emphasis on maternal health, awareness and utilization of ANC services remain suboptimal in many settings, particularly among women from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Understanding these factors is essential to designing effective interventions and improving maternal and perinatal outcomes. Aims and Objectives: ANC is essential for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. However, awareness and utilization of ANC services remain inconsistent, particularly in urban slums. This study assesses the knowledge, awareness, and determinants of ANC utilization among pregnant women (PW) in the North-East district of Delhi, India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over 6 months among PW. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, dietary habits, and ANC awareness were collected through structured interviews. Statistical analysis was performed to examine correlations between ANC awareness and factors such as age, education, employment status, diet, parity, and the number of ANC visits. Results: Among the 545 participants, 56% were aged 18–24 years and 92.7% were non-working. Only 8.4% exhibited good ANC awareness. A significant correlation was found between education and ANC awareness (P<0.001), with higher education levels associated with greater knowledge. Women attending four or more ANC check-ups had significantly higher awareness than those with fewer visits (P=0.02). In addition, ANC awareness increased with advancing gestational age (P=0.001). No significant associations were found between ANC awareness and age (P=0.06), family status (P=0.35), or parity (P=0.27). Conclusion: ANC awareness remains suboptimal among antenatal women in urban slums, highlighting the need for targeted health education programs. Education, dietary habits, and ANC visit frequency were key factors influencing awareness. Implementing structured interventions in the form of counseling could enhance maternal health outcomes.