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Factors affecting the utilization of antenatal care among pregnant women: A literature review.

Sumera Aziz Ali, Aftab Ahmed Dero, Savera Aziz Ali, Gulshan Bano Ali

Antenatal care is the care given to pregnant women in order to have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. Antenatal care is an important determinant of high maternal mortality rate and one of the basic components of maternal care on which the life of mothers and babies depend. Thus, Antenatal care is a key strategy to improve maternal and infant health. Different studies have found that inappropriate antenatal care has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Recently the technical working group of World Health Organization has recommended a minimum level of care to be eight visits throughout the pregnancy to reduce the maternal morbidity and mortality. Several studies conducted in different countries on demographic and socio-cultural factors influencing use of maternal health care services, have shown that factors like maternal age, number of living children, education, place of residence, occupation, religion and ethnicity are significantly associated with use of antenatal care. The findings of various factors associated with utilization of antenatal care have not been synthesized collectively. Therefore, there was a need to carry out a literature review to synthesize findings collectively regarding the factors affecting the utilization of antenatal care. Hence the objective of this literature review was to appraise the factors affecting anternatal care utilization among pregnant women. The findings of this literature review could help in planning and developing strategies for utilization of antenatal care ANC among pregnant women.