Prediction of Adequate Prenatal Care Utilization Based on the Extended Parallel Process Model

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Behavior Models

Background:

• Pregnancy complications pose significant public health risks.
• Inadequate prenatal care is a primary cause of preventable complications.
• The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) may predict prenatal care utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the predictive power of EPPM constructs on prenatal care service utilization.
• To identify factors influencing pregnant women's decisions regarding prenatal care.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal prospective study of 192 pregnant women in Qeshm, Iran.
• Data collected using the Risk Behavior Diagnosis Scale.
• Statistical analysis included ANOVA and regression models (significance at P<0.05).

Main Results:

• Perceived self-efficacy (OR=25.23) and susceptibility (OR=0.048) predicted prenatal care intention.
• Lower odds of receiving care were associated with husband's occupation (OR=0.43), unwanted pregnancy (OR=0.352), and home care duties (OR=0.35).

Conclusions:

• Increased prenatal care usage is linked to higher perceived efficacy outweighing perceived threat.
• Identified modifiable factors offer targets for clinical interventions to improve prenatal care access.