Couples’ Factors Affecting Antenatal Care Utilization in Nigeria

Agbo, Joyce Nnenna; Amani, Davis; Stöckl, Heidi; Tehrani, Hadi (2025): Couples’ Factors Affecting Antenatal Care Utilization in Nigeria. Advances in Public Health, 2025 (1): 1544792. ISSN 2356-6868

Abstract

Introduction: Antenatal care (ANC) is a crucial health service provided to pregnant women by health professionals from before conception until after childbirth. Despite efforts to improve global maternal health, maternal mortality remains a significant issue, particularly in low-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa has a higher maternal mortality rate than other regions. This study aims to pinpoint the most vital factors within couples that impact ANC utilization by expectant partners.

Methods: Data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), which utilized a two-stage stratified sampling method, were analyzed to include 6194 formerly pregnant women. The men’s and women’s DHS questionnaires were used to obtain this data, and the R software (version 4.2.1) was used for analysis. Adequate ANC utilization required at least four visits and was analyzed as a dichotomous categorical variable. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted separately for male and female partners, with the level of significance placed at 0.05. After identifying significant variables, they were combined in a logistic model.

Results: The mean age of women included in this study was 30.92 years (SD = 7.94). Approximately 60% of expectant mothers attended a minimum of four ANC sessions. The conclusive logistic model revealed that higher education levels of women and their partners increased the likelihood of adequate ANC utilization. Additionally significant relationship was observed between the household’s wealth status and the frequency of ANC utilization. While listening to the radio at least once a week increased women’s likelihood, other forms of media exposure did not significantly impact adequate ANC utilization. Women residing in rural areas exhibited a 27% lower likelihood of adequate ANC utilization compared to their urban counterparts.

Conclusions: Various factors influenced the ANC utilization. However, the educational levels of the couple, their place of residence, wealth status, and exposure to media remained significant. Strategic health policies and interventions emphasizing maternal health education, particularly in rural areas of Nigeria, have the potential to markedly enhance the accessibility, utilization, and quality of ANC.

• Dokumententyp: Artikel (LMU)
• Organisationseinheit (Fakultäten): 07 Medizin > Institut für Medizinische Informationsverarbeitung, Biometrie und Epidemiologie
• DFG-Fachsystematik der Wissenschaftsbereiche: Lebenswissenschaften
• DFG: Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - 491502892