A Scoping Review on Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Antenatal Care Utilization and Pregnancy Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Maternal and perinatal mortality are the most adverse pregnancy outcomes of public health concerns. Although, slowly declining, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), has been reported as one of the regions with the highest incidence globally. Regions in SSA where these problems are prominent have been reported to have poor access to antenatal care services. Since socioeconomic factors are major factors influencing the use of antenatal care services and pregnancy outcomes. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the socioeconomic determinants of antenatal care utilization and pregnancy outcomes in Sub-Saharan countries. Studies were systematically searched using credible search engines, whereby 82 studies based on the selection criteria from eight countries with reported maximum burden of study were found. Consistently across all reviewed studies, poor socioeconomic status was a significant determinant of Antenatal care utilization thus leading to poor pregnancy outcomes, particularly, low income, and education. The impact of occupation on the other hand has been poorly studied. Poor socioeconomic factors also limit the use of antenatal care services, increasing the burden of the deaths. The study therefore submits that, interventions, and policies to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality should focus on improving pregnant women’s' lives by improving access to antenatal care services pre- and postnatal period.