Magnitude of antenatal care service uptake and associated factors among pregnant women: analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

ObjectiveAntenatal and postnatal cares are crucial for the survival and well-being of both the mother and the child. WHO recommends a minimum of four antenatal care (ANC) visits during a pregnancy. In Ethiopia, only 38% of women in the reproductive age make a minimum of first ANC visits. This value is far below the typical rates of least developed countries. This study aimed to calculate the magnitude and identify associated factors of ANC service utilisation among pregnant women in Ethiopia.DesignCross-sectional study design.SettingEthiopia.ParticipantsA total of 7913 pregnant women participated in the study.Primary outcome measuresAntenatal care service uptake among pregnant women.ResultOnly 35.5% of the pregnant mothers have used ANC services at least four times and 64.5% of the pregnant mothers have used less than three times during their periods of pregnancy. The study showed that rich women (PR=1.077, 95% CI: 1.029 to 1.127), having access to mass media (PR=1.086, 95% CI: 1.045 to 1.128), having pregnancy complications (PR=1.203, 95% CI: 1.165 to 1.242), secondary education and above (PR=1.112, 95% CI:1.052 to 1.176), husbands’ having secondary education and above (PR=1.085, 95% CI: 1.031 to 1.142) and married (PR=1.187; 95% CI: 1.087 to 1.296), rural women (PR=0.884, 95% CI: 0.846 to 0.924) and women>30 years of age (PR=1.067, 95% CI: 1.024 to 1.111) significantly associated with the ANC service uptake.ConclusionThe magnitude of ANC service uptake was low. This low magnitude of ANC service utilisation calls for a need to improve community awareness about maternal health. More importantly, intensive health education is required for pregnant women to have better ANC service uptake and follow-up adherence.

Multilevel analysis of quality of antenatal care and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study

“…The study also showed that married pregnant women were higher odds of quality of ANC compared with their counterparts. This is consistent with previous studies conducted in Ethiopia 48–50. In comparison to unmarried women, pregnant married women may experience higher quality ANC as a result of better psychological (advise to seek ANC visit for better pregnancy outcome) and economic support from their husbands, the desirability and plannedness of their pregnancy, and the community’s acceptance and support of their pregnancy status 51.…”

“… 52 This situation makes them less likely to go to ANC visits which in turn affects the quality of ANC. 48 51 …”

“…However, those women who are pregnant outside of wedlock are often afraid to go out and socialise in the community due to community stigmatisation and marginalisation 52. This situation makes them less likely to go to ANC visits which in turn affects the quality of ANC 48 51…”

“…This is consistent with previous studies conducted in Ethiopia. [48][49][50] In comparison to unmarried women, pregnant married women may experience higher quality ANC as a result of better psychological (advise to seek ANC visit for better pregnancy outcome) and economic support from their husbands, the desirability and plannedness of their pregnancy, and the community's acceptance and support of their pregnancy status. 51 However, those women who are pregnant outside of wedlock are often afraid to go out and socialise in the community due to community stigmatisation and marginalisation.…”

The Effects of the Maternal Health Improvement Project in the Louga Region of Senegal

“…For example, under Agenda 2063, which is being promoted by the African Union in relation to the SDGs to further the universal principles of women’s human rights and aim to achieve complete gender equality in all areas of life, efforts have been made to ensure quality education is provided to women [ 14 ]. However, despite such efforts, the illiteracy rate of women in Africa remains high at 43.47–86.2% [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”