Antenatal care practices and maternal health outcomes in Bagerhat district
Mosammat Salima Khatun
Antenatal care (ANC) is a critical component of maternal health that significantly influences pregnancy outcomes. This study explores antenatal care practices and their impact on maternal health outcomes in Bagerhat District, Bangladesh. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 300 pregnant and recently delivered women across both rural and urban areas of the district through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The study examines the frequency of ANC visits, timing of first contact, types of services received, and factors affecting ANC utilization. Findings reveal that while awareness of ANC is relatively high, consistent and early utilization remains low, especially in rural areas. Socioeconomic status, education, and accessibility to health facilities were identified as key determinants influencing ANC attendance. Moreover, women who received at least four ANC visits from trained providers showed significantly better maternal health outcomes, including reduced pregnancy-related complications and improved birth preparedness. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions, including community education, improved healthcare access, and enhanced training for frontline health workers, to improve ANC uptake and maternal health in Bagerhat. These findings can inform policy and programmatic strategies aimed at strengthening maternal healthcare services in similar low-resource settings.
Mosammat Salima Khatun. Antenatal care practices and maternal health outcomes in Bagerhat district. Int J Adv Res Nurs 2025;8(2):01-06. DOI: 10.33545/nursing.2025.v8.i2.a.518