FACTORS AFFECTING THE UTILISATION OF ANTENATAL CARE IN BHUTAN

Abstract

In recent years, Bhutan has shown its progress in improving maternal death. Several measures were taken under the Reproductive Health Programme. These included increasing institutional deliveries, increasing the proportion of birth attendants by skilled health workers and providing adequate antenatal, intra-partum and post-natal care. In 2000, 51 per cent of mothers reported to receive ANC (NHS, 2000). This percentage increased dramatically to 87.9 per cent within 10 years (BMIS, 2010). Despite this, 11 per cent of mothers still do not receive care during pregnancy, although the service is free.

The main purpose of this study is to address the issue of non-utilization of antenatal care services among Bhutanese women. Association between demographic, socio-economic, and community characteristics of a woman and utilization of antenatal care were explored. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the effect of independent variables on the utilisation of antenatal care. Using Bhutan Living Standard Survey database of 2012, the study found that the impeding factors are maternal age, parity, work status and region. Pregnant women who are older, have higher parity, currently not working and residing in Central and Eastern regions are less likely to use the antenatal care. In order to ensure better utlisation of antenatal care services by all Bhutanese women of reproductive age, the government must prioritize formal education enrollment and provide caravan services in every annual gathering and disseminate information about the benefits of antenatal care.