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This study aimed to assess the frequency and timing of ANC attendance of mothers in Ghana as well as determine the predictors of early ANC attendance.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>The data for this study was extracted from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey (GMHS). The study population was women aged 15\u201349 years with a live birth or stillbirth in the 5 years preceding the survey. Data was analysed using STATA\/SE version 17, using descriptive statistics and multiple binary logistic regression analysis.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>It was found that 44.4% of the women obtained eight (8)\u2009+\u2009ANC visits. A majority of the women (66%) initiated ANC visits in the first trimester of pregnancy. Early ANC visit was significantly associated with age of the respondent, education, wealth index, religion, region and reason for first ANC visit. For instance, women between the ages of 25\u201329 years (aOR\u2009=\u20091.75, 95% CI: 1.31\u20132.33) had increased odds of early ANC visit compared to those aged 15\u201319 years. Women with higher education (aOR\u2009=\u20091.83, 95% CI: 1.27\u20132.64) were about twice as likely to initiate early ANC visits compared to those with no education. Also, women in the highest wealth index (aOR\u2009=\u20092.43, 95% CI: 1.83\u20133.23) were two times more likely to initiate early ANC visits compared to those in the lowest wealth index.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n                <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>This study has shown that a majority of women in Ghana start their first ANC visit during the first trimester of pregnancy. A considerable proportion of the women failed to meet the WHO\u2019s recommendation of having a minimum of eight ANC visits throughout pregnancy. Early ANC visit was determined by socio-demographic factors. Going forward, it should be a priority for stakeholders to ensure that ANC services are accessible to all mothers in a timely manner.<\/jats:p>\n              <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12884-024-06490-3","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,4,24]],"date-time":"2024-04-24T17:01:48Z","timestamp":1713978108000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":26,"title":["Determinants of early antenatal care visits among women of reproductive age in Ghana: evidence from the recent Maternal Health Survey"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"24","author":[{"given":"Aaron Asibi","family":"Abuosi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Emmanuel Anongeba","family":"Anaba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anita Anima","family":"Daniels","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anita Asiwome Adzo","family":"Baku","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"James","family":"Akazili","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,4,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"6490_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abosse Z, Woldie M, Ololo S. 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