Antenatal Care Coverage Among Currently Married Women in Nepal

Abstract

The study examines utilization coverage of antenatal care services among currently married women in Nepal. An attempt has been made to investigate differentials in antenatal visits among currently married women with skilled and any provider. Secondary data are extracted from the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) dataset. Out of the 12,862 women aged 15-49 who were interviewed, for the study purpose, this study has employed a sample of 2,746 currently married women who have a live birth in the three years preceding the survey. The analyses are done in bivariate levels and differences among and within women’s demographic and socioeconomic characteristic. The result shows that the women who are poor, regionally marginalized, having less access to education have lower utilize the ANC services. This study has suggested that to increase the ANC contact along with content, antenatal care services should be locate based on necessity and focusing on the media exposure, education and geographical barriers.