Shelah S. Bloom|Theo Lippeveld|David Wypij
Does Antenatal Care Make a Difference to Safe Delivery? A Study in Urban Uttar Pradesh, India
Harvard University
evidence support antenatal screenings interventions effective reducing maternal mortality scanty studies presented contradictory findings addition antenatal care utilization poorly characterized studies exposure investigation antenatal care well defined however measures typically account frequency timing visits care content introduce new measure antenatal care utilization comprised 20 input components covering care content visit frequency weights component reflect relative importance better maternal child health derived survey international researchers composite measure antenatal care utilization studied probability sample 300 low middle income women given birth within last three years varanasi uttar pradesh india results showed demarcating womens antenatal care status based simple indicatortwo visits versus lessmasked large amount variation care received logistic regression analyses conducted examine effect antenatal care utilization likelihood using safe delivery care factor known decrease maternal mortality controlling relevant sociodemographic maternity history factors women relatively high level care 75th percentile score estimated odds using trained assistance delivery almost four times higher women low level care 25th percentile score 397 95 ci 196 810 similar results obtained women delivering health facility versus home strong positive association level care obtained pregnancy use safe delivery care may help explain antenatal care could also associated reduced maternal mortalitya new measure antenatal care utilization introduced comprised 20 input components care content visit frequency weights component reflect components relative importance better maternal child health derived survey international researchers measure studied probability sample 300 low middleincome women given birth within past 3 years varanasi uttar pradesh india controlling relevant sociodemographic maternity history factors analysis data found use antenatal care among low middleincome women varanasi positively influences likelihood using trained assistance birth child women relatively high level care estimated odds using trained assistance delivery almost 4 times higher women low level care similar results obtained women delivering health facility rather home strong positive association level care pregnancy use safe delivery care may help explain antenatal care could also associated reduced maternal mortality