Maternal Pregnancy Intention and Professional Antenatal Care Utilization in Bangladesh: A Nationwide Population-Based Survey.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between maternal pregnancy intention and professional antenatal and delivery care utilization.


METHODS
Our data were derived from the 2011 nationally representative Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey. We included antenatal and delivery care utilization data of the most recent live births for women for the previous three years (n = 4672). We used multilevel logistic regression models to assess the relationship between pregnancy intention and use of professional antenatal and delivery care, with adjustment for potential confounding variables.


RESULTS
Approximately 13% and 16% of children were reported by their mothers as unwanted and mistimed at the time of conception, respectively. Among the women, 55% received at least one professional antenatal care service; 21% received four or more professional antenatal services, while 32% were attended by professionals during deliveries. Mothers of children whose pregnancies had been unwanted had a greater risk for not seeking professional antenatal and professional delivery care than those whose pregnancies had been wanted [1≥ ANC from professionals: AOR: 0.66; 95% CI:0.51-0.93; 4≥ ANC from professionals: AOR:0.56; 95% CI:0.37-0.84; and delivery care from professionals: AOR: 0.70; 95% CI:0.50-0.97]. Women who were married after age 18, had secondary or higher level of education, and were from the wealthiest households were more likely to utilize antenatal and delivery care.


CONCLUSIONS
Unwanted pregnancy is significantly associated with lower utilization of professional antenatal and delivery care services in Bangladesh. Reducing unwanted births and promoting access to professional antenatal and delivery care are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 in Bangladesh.
Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
Md Mosfequr
MM
Rahman
Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.|Department of Global Health Policy, School of International Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Md Mizanur
MM
Rahman
Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
Md Ismail
MI
Tareque
Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
Jannatul
J
Ferdos
Department of Sociology, University of North Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States of America.
Syeda S
SS
Jesmin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh; D002648:Child; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires