INFLUENCES ON THE UTILIZATION OF ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES AMONG REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP WOMEN IN MID-WESTERN DEVELOPMENT REGION OF NEPAL: A POPULATION BASED STUDY USING THE NEPAL MULTIPLE INDICATOR CLUSTER SURVEY(MICS) 2014.

Abstract

The antenatal care (ANC) provides an opportunity for health information and services that can significantly enhance the health of women and their babies. Nepal has shown a significant progress in improving maternal health. However, maternal mortality rate (MMR) still remains high mostly in Mid-Western region in Nepal in comparison to other regions. This study aimed to explore the influencing factors associated with utilization of ANC. This study uses the data taken from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in Nepal by the Ministry of Health and Population with a technical support from UNICEF. The analysis was conducted on 322 women who gave live birth in last two years preceding the survey. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify influencing factors associated with ANC utilizations. Seventy-nine percent women attended ANC visits. Out of them only fifty-four percent women attended complete (four or more) ANC visits. Studies finds following factors affecting antenatal care utilization: Maternal age, education, wealth index, listening to radio and watching television. The following factors influences complete (four or more visits) antenatal care utilization: Education, Sub-region, wealth index and watching television. Overall ANC utilization was 79.8%. Frequency of antenatal care visits is not satisfactory in this region. Out of 257 who received ANC care, only 54% women received complete ANC (four or more visits). Maternal age, education and wealth index had prominent effect on utilization of ANC service. Parity, husband’s education and residence had no effect on the utilization of antenatal care visits in this study