114 Experiences of and perspectives on timely initiation and uptake of antenatal care among an ethnically diverse maternal cohort - OP 12 - Aim, Methods, Results, Conclusion

Sep 30, 2026

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A study explored mothers’ experiences and perspectives on timely initiation and uptake of antenatal care among ethnically diverse women in East of England who began care after 10 weeks. It used in-depth qualitative semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, analyzed via a thematic framework. Three themes covered experiences with appointments, barriers to timely initiation, and strategies to improve uptake. Reported delays reflected low awareness, limited scheduling information, and employment and childcare constraints, while women advocated consistent midwife care and culturally inclusive, simplified multilingual resources and reminders.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

OP 12: Health Services

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

2nd World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race & Health Abstract Book vi37 Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.103 114 Experiences of and perspectives on timely initiation and uptake of antenatal care among an ethnically diverse maternal cohort Shuby Puthussery1, Marie Therese Sangy1, Tara Pauley2 1University of Bedfordshire, Luton, United Kingdom 2Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Luton, United Kingdom OP 12: Health Services 4, B210 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 17:00 - 18:00 Aim: Antenatal care plays an important role in preventing adverse maternal?and new-born outcomes. The United Kingdom (UK)?clinical?guidelines recommend that women attend their first antenatal appointment by 10 weeks of pregnancy. Women from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to initiate antenatal care later than the recommended 10 weeks, compared to white British women. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of timely initiation and uptake of antenatal care among mothers from ethnically diverse areas in East of England, UK who initiated antenatal care after 10 weeks. Methods: We conducted in-depth qualitative semi-structured interviews with 20 expectant or recent mothers in ethnically diverse areas who started care after 10 weeks. Mothers were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling, through a number of channels including local networks and online advertisements. Interviews lasted approximately one hour and were conducted in-person, over the phone or online based on participants’ preferences. Data were analysed using a thematic framework guided by Levesque Conceptual Framework. Results: Three key themes emerged: 1.experiences of and perceptions about antenatal care appointments; 2.factors hindering timely vi38 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, Supplement 6, 2025 initiation of antenatal care; and 3.strategies to enhance antenatal care uptake. Women felt dissatisfied with limited engagement during appointments and suggested that seeing the same midwife could improve trust and confidence. Delays were linked to low awareness and insufficient information on scheduling, as well as employment and childcare constraints. Participants recommended simplified health information about care pathways, appointment reminders, and multilingual resources to improve access. Conclusion: Key barriers and delays in antenatal care appointments highlight the need for targeted interventions, including provision of simplified health information and culturally inclusive resources. Findings highlight?the need for addressing systemic challenges through culturally sensitive community based approaches to enhance timely uptake of antenatal care among women from ethnically diverse areas. 1 University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway 1 , 2 , 1 , 3 , 2 , 1 , 1 , 2 4 , Deptartment of Family Medicine and Population Health, Primary and

FAQs

What was the study’s aim regarding antenatal care in this cohort?

To explore experiences and perspectives on timely initiation and uptake of antenatal care among mothers from ethnically diverse areas who started care after 10 weeks.

How were participants recruited and what data collection method was used?

Twenty expectant or recent mothers were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. In-depth qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted in-person, by phone, or online based on participant preference.

What were the main barriers and delays identified?

Barriers included low awareness and insufficient information about appointment scheduling, alongside employment and childcare constraints, contributing to dissatisfaction with limited engagement during appointments.

What strategies did participants recommend to improve antenatal care uptake?

They suggested simplified health information about care pathways, appointment reminders, multilingual resources, and seeing the same midwife to strengthen trust and confidence.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Aditya