Table 3

Determinants of ANC utilisation by regions in sub-Saharan Africa

FactorDeterminantsWest AfricaEast AfricaSouth AfricaCentral AfricaMulticountry
Predisposing factors
Household wealth/socioeconomic status 15 25 27 29 30 33 41 54 62 65 69 71 75 80 90 32 51 57 63 64 66 70 88 89 91 69 67
Maternal age 23 30 43 54 46–48 50–53 55 57 34 49
Maternal education 15 23 25 27 29 30 54 62 65 71 9 24 46 47 50 51 53 55 56 58–61 63 64 66 70 74 69 49 57 61 67
Maternal occupation/
employment status
15 29 30 62 75 77 33 47 48 59 68 74 98 57 67 73 76
Husband/partner’s occupation 68
Husband/partner’s education 22 30 41 63 74 73
Maternal religion 27 54 75 77 48 66 78 98 57
Marital status and family type 41–43 80 52 53 63 68 70 79 81 82 98 61
Parity/family and household size 15 30 40 42 77 84 23 46 47 51 60 70 78 81–83 85 49 57 61 67
Ethnicity and cultural influence 29 75 66 61
Residence/geographical location 15 22 25 27 30 35 44 54 62 72 77 80 90 33 46 48 51 53 59 63 64 66 70 78 91 92 49 57 73
Enabling factors
Distance from health facilities 54 9 34 46 48 53 68 86 93 61
Health insurance/user-fee exemption 41 54 72 90 94 81 95 96
Involvement in decision-making/autonomy 29 30 72 87 73
Husband/partner’s approval and support 44 97 50 52 58 98
Need factors
Knowledge/exposure to media 22 30 54 72 75 77 32 48 58 64 83 85 86
Attitude and perception towards ANC 32 46 56 87
Pregnancy wantedness and planning 13 41 71 46 47 50 53 55 58 78 81 83 85 100 98 13
Current/previous pregnancy and health experiences 84 97 50 55 56 87
Quality/content of services 24 53 81 93 99
  • ANC, antenatal care.