Late antenatal care initiation and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public hospitals of Kellem Wollega zone, Western Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study

The magnitude of late antenatal care initiation was high. Rural residence, perceived appropriate time of first ANC initiation after 12 weeks of gestation, means of pregnancy recognition, and lack of decision-making power for ANC services were significantly associated with increased late ANC initiation. Stakeholders working in maternal and child healthcare need to focus on creating awareness of the recommended ANC starting time, empowering women to decide by themselves about antenatal care initiation.