Exploring the Socioeconomic Drivers of Antenatal Care Utilization in Pakistan: An Empirical Insight

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the determinants of Antenatal Care (ANC) in Pakistan, primarily by focusing on the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) targeting the equal access to health care for everyone. The study targeted specifically ANC visits as main outcome of the analysis. The data from Pakistan Demographic and Household Survey (PDHS) conducted in 2017-18, was used in the analysis, comprehends all four provinces of Pakistan. Logistic Regression Analysis was applied to assess in four distinct models for each outcome variable. The empirical model comprehensively analyzed socioeconomic and demographic circumstances to determine the practicing of ANC services. Model 1 indicates various factors (maternal age, educational attainment) influencing positively to the attainment of ANC services. Furthermore, the model also revealed that birth parity and past experience of terminated pregnancies have differing impacts on the maternal healthcare utilization. Model 2 includes more variables including employment status, gender of the household, and mass media exposure to provide the renewed perception to determine the maternal healthcare outcome. Model 3 highlighted the positive and significant role of parental education and wealth status on the ANC service utilization. Finally, Model 4 examines the role of province wise regional disparities and disparities between rural urban residences on the ANC outcomes. The findings of the study offer inclusive insights to understand the interplay of socio-demographic determinants to understand the disparities in access to maternal healthcare and its utilization in Pakistan. The research is also significantly important in the context of Pakistan to guide policy makers in order to address the disparities and to ensure the inclusive access to maternal healthcare services.

Keywords: Maternal Healthcare, Antenatal Care, Logistic Regression, Socioeconomic Circumstances, Healthcare Inequalities