Factors Contributing to Non-Attendance of Antenatal Class in Hong Kong -a Study of Postpartum Females in Tsan Yuk Hospital

Abstract

Background: Antenatal class has become an integral part of antenatal care. Despite being offered free locally, the attendance is low. There is a lack of local literature to explain this phenomenon. Aim: This pilot study was designed to estimate the attendance rate of the local antenatal class, to explore its perceived usefulness, to establish predictors for non-attendance and to give practical recommendations that could improve the attendance rate, based on potentially amendable predictors. Method: A retrospective questionnaire survey was designed de novo for this study. 361 postnatal women were interviewed in a nine-week period upon informed consent. Data from full-attendees, partial-attendees, ever-attendees and never-attendees were analyzed with chi square tests and t tests using SPSS 10.0. Result: The ever-attendance rate is 41.8%. The service is perceived as useful and recommendable by most of the attendees. Too busy with jobs is the most popular reason given for non-attendance. Socioeconomic factors are the main predictors of attendance. Low socioeconomic status is asso-ciated with non-attendance. Conclusion: To improve antenatal class attendance, service providers may need to refine the class for the motivated group and actively promote the service to the socially less privileged women. (HKJGOM 2001; 2: 80-88)