Factors associated with the timely initiation of antenatal care: findings from a cross-sectional study in Northern Bangladesh.

Apart from sociodemographic factors, early pregnancy detection was strongly associated with the timely first ANC visit. Timely initiation of ANC is an opportunity to adhere to all the WHO recommended timely ANC visits for a pregnant woman. The findings suggest maternal, neonatal, and child health programmes to focus on the early detection of pregnancy to ensure universal ANC coverage and its timeliness.