The effect of urine pregnancy testing on timing of accessing antenatal care and abortion services in Western Nigeria

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.