Factors associated with utilization of Antenatal Care in Zambia. : A secondary analysis of 2018 Zambia Demographic Health Survey

Abstract: Background ANC comprises of trainings and treatments provided to promote a healthy pregnancy, labour and child delivery. Any complications or issues with pregnancy are identified during ANC visits. The aim of this study is to identify and analyse the factors which affect the basic antenatal care utilization by women in Zambia and to give an overall view of the status of women in the country with the 2018 Zambia Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS). Method After the correlations were found, bivariate logistic regression was done with all exposure variables against the dependent variable. A multivariate analysis was conducted with significant variable against the dependent variable, in order to find the association between the variables. Result The type of place of residence was significant as well as education which showed lower education was associated with lower basic ANC use. Wealth also demonstrated a negative association to basic ANC visits for poor and for the middle class. Working women had a higher likelihood of attending basic ANC along with those who attended ANC with a doctor and nurse or midwife. To not have a health insurance showed a lower likelihood to attend basic ANC visits Conclusion The study found that factors such as type of place of residence, education, wealth, occupation, health insurance coverage and ANC with doctor, midwife or nurse are associated with utilization of basic ANC in Zambia among women aged between 15-49.