Variation in antenatal health services utilisation among women of reproductive age in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

One important maternal health service that ensures favourable feto-maternal outcomes are high-quality antenatal care (ANC) services. This study examined variation in ANC utilisation among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 2001 to 2018. The Demographic Health Survey (DHS) for 2007 and 2013-2014 and UNICEF 2001, 2010, and 2017-2018 data of reproductive-age women seeking ante-natal care were analsyed using IBM-SPSS for Windows version 28.0. ANC use increased from 22.0% in 2001 to 52.0% in 2007 but declined to 44.9% in 2010 and 42% in 2018. In 2007, DRC women were 3.96 times, 2010, and 2017/2018, more likely to use ANC services than 2001 (p<0.001). Also, women aged 15- 24 were 5.22 times, and those aged 25–34 were 2.75 (95%) more likely to use ANC than women aged 35 years or more (p<0.001). Secondary/higher educated women were 1.43 times more likely to attend ANC than uneducated (p<0.001). Married or women who lives with a man were 1.60 times more likely to use ANC than unmarried (p<0.001). Urban women were 1.11 times more likely to use ANC than rural (p<0.001). The result showed that apart from demographic characteristics, educational attainment, currently married/living with a man, place of residence, parity and age all impact antenatal care service usage. These needs can be met by designing a maternal health service utilisation model that considers these various aspects.