A multilevel analysis of prenatal care and birth weight in Kenya

Abstract

The paper investigates the effect of adequate use of prenatal care on birth weight in Kenya using data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey of 2008–2009 together with additional administrative data. Both a single–level model and a multi–level model are estimated. The estimation strategy controls for potential sample selection bias, potential endogeneity of prenatal care, and potential unobserved heterogeneity. The results indicate that adequate use of prenatal care increases birth weight, holding other factors constant. We further observe that the single–level model overstates the effect of prenatal care on birth weight. The results imply that infant health can be improved by using prenatal care adequately. The study calls for the pursuit of policies that encourage adequate use of prenatal care by expectant mothers such as ensuring availability of skilled health care providers such as doctors and nurses at prenatal care clinics, reducing the average distances mothers have to cover when seeking prenatal care services, intensifying education of females as a way of empowering them to be able to make the right choices regarding when to seek prenatal care and from whom, and increasing income opportunities for households.

Exploring trend and barriers of antenatal care utilization using data mining:evidence from EDHS of 2000 to 2016

“…In the data selection step, a total of 10 attributes were selected, assuming to have a frequent pattern with ANC utilization based on the review from the previous literature dimensions in which ANC utilization was affected [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. The dependent variable of this study is ANC utilization ("Yes" if the mother receives ANC for at least one time during a pregnancy, or else "No").…”

“…Mother's age [12][13][14][15], place of residence [16][17][18][19], women's education [17,[20][21][22], husband education [19,21], women empowerment [23], women's occupation [24], economic status [13,22,25], parity [18,24], history of pregnancy complication [18,21], and media exposure [26,27]. Even though these factors are from different studies, my study has included and attested all the variables.…”

Are Recent Improvements in Healthcare Utilisation and Under-Five Mortality Inclusive in Kenya? Evidence Based on Selected Indicators from the Demographic and Health Surveys

“…Studies conducted in various contexts have confirmed the positive relationship between the quantity of prenatal care received and the birth weight of children (Awiti, 2014). Antenatal visits are also found to be associated with increased uptake of facility-based delivery and improved perinatal survival (Brown et al, 2008), which helps reduce several health risks for mothers and the newborns, as discussed above.…”

Effects of health insurance on birth weight in Mexico

“…The importance of prenatal care in the production of infant health has been highlighted in a few studies conducted in developing countries (Awiti, 2014;Gajate-Garrido, 2013;Jewell & Triunfo, 2006;Gonzalez & Kumar, 2018;Nazim & Fan, 2011;Wehby, Murray, Castilla, Lopez Camelo, & Ohsfeldt, 2009). The importance of prenatal care in the production of infant health has been highlighted in a few studies conducted in developing countries (Awiti, 2014;Gajate-Garrido, 2013;Jewell & Triunfo, 2006;Gonzalez & Kumar, 2018;Nazim & Fan, 2011;Wehby, Murray, Castilla, Lopez Camelo, & Ohsfeldt, 2009).…”

“…There is a limited body of research that examines the effects of prenatal care on infant health in developing countries. The importance of prenatal care in the production of infant health has been highlighted in a few studies conducted in developing countries (Awiti, 2014;Gajate-Garrido, 2013;Jewell & Triunfo, 2006;Gonzalez & Kumar, 2018;Nazim & Fan, 2011;Wehby, Murray, Castilla, Lopez Camelo, & Ohsfeldt, 2009). Wehby et al (2009) reported an increase in birth weight of about 35 g per visit and a decrease of 30 g in birth weight due to per week delay in initiation of care in Argentina.…”