Does antenatal care make a difference to safe delivery? a study in urban Uttar Pradesh, India
Bloom, S.S.; Lippeveld, T.; Wypij, D.
Health Policy and Planning 14(1): 38-48
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0268-1080 PMID: 10351468 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/14.1.38Document Number: 281446
A new measure for antenatal care utilization is introduced, comprised of 20 input components on care content and visit frequency. Weights for each component reflect the component's relative importance to better maternal and child health, and were derived from a survey of international researchers. The measure was studied in a probability sample of 300 low- to middle-income women who had given birth within the past 3 years in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. After controlling for relevant sociodemographic and maternity history factors, analysis of the data found that the use of antenatal care among low- to middle-income women in Varanasi positively influences the likelihood of using trained assistance at the birth of the child. Women with a relatively high level of care had an estimated odds of using trained assistance at delivery that was almost 4 times higher than women with a low level of care. Similar results were obtained for women delivering in a health facility rather than at home. This strong positive association between level of care during pregnancy and the use of safe delivery care may help explain why antenatal care could also be associated with reduced maternal mortality.