Magnitude and Associated Factors of Antenatal Care Utilization in Western Regions of Ethiopia: A study Based on Demographic and Health Survey Data

Antenatal care (ANC) service is used to ensure the best health conditions for both mother and baby during pregnancy. There are marked disparities in the utilization of ANC utilization among regions of Ethiopia. Hence, this study was intended to analyze the magnitude and associated factors of ANC utilization in Western Regions of Ethiopia. The study was conducted based on 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey data. A total of 1200 women representing the three regions (Oromiya, Benishangul Gumuz and Gambela), who gave birth two years preceding the survey were included and the analysis was done by SPSS version 20. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the net effect of associated factors of ANC utilization. Among the studied participants, 39.9%, 51.0% and 27.8%of women in Oromiya, Benishangul Gumuz and Gambela regions, respectively, received a minimum of four ANC visits from the skilled health personnel. The result from multiple logistic regression depicted that age in 5- year group, region, place of residence, maternal education and wealth index were significantly associated with the utilization of ANC service. The utilization of ANC service was higher among young women than old women while women in Benishangul Gumuz were more likely to receive ANC service than women in Gambela region. Better education attainment increases the likelihood of receiving ANC service from the skilled personnel. Urban women as well as rich women were more likely to receive ANC service than their respective rural and poor counterparts in the studied regions. Providing awareness creation on ANC utilization for women of fertile age is a best instrument to minimize maternal and child mortality.