Antenatal Care Utilisation

Higher visit frequency increases exposure to essential interventions and supports continuity of care. Early initiation and frequent antenatal care contact increase opportunities to receive the full recommended package of services. Health-service utilisation factors were the strongest independent predictors of quality antenatal care. WHO shifted from recommending at least four ANC visits to recommending at least eight contacts in 2016. Late antenatal care initiation reduces opportunities for screening, supplementation, monitoring, and follow-up.