Individual and Healthcare System Factors Affecting Antenatal Care Utilization in Pakistan

Abstract

Antenatal care is a primary aspect in maternal and infant health and is critical in the prevention of pregnancy-related complications and reduction of maternal and infant mortality. Nevertheless, despite the availability of ANC services in Pakistan, their utilization is suboptimal, particularly among poor, rural, and marginalized populations. The aim of this study was to explore individual and healthcare system factors in relation to utilization of antenatal care services in Pakistan. The descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed for data collection. The participants in this study were pregnant women who utilized antenatal care services in a tertiary care hospital. Data collection tools included a structured questionnaire to gather data on socio-demographic factors, maternal health literacy, individual factors, and healthcare system factors. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and regression analysis were employed to analyze data. The findings revealed that individual factors such as education level, health literacy, parity, and perceptions of pregnancy played a significant role in the utilization of ANC services. The factors of the healthcare system, including accessibility, the behavior of healthcare providers, communication, and waiting time, were found to have a pivotal role in influencing ANC utilization. Women with high levels of awareness and healthcare experiences were found to have attended the recommended ANC visits and avoided missing appointments. The study concludes that improving maternal health literacy and strengthening healthcare system responsiveness are essential to enhance ANC utilization in Pakistan. Targeted interventions addressing both individual and system-level barriers are necessary to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.