Frequency and Timing of Antenatal Care Visits and Its Impact on Neonatal Mortality in EAG States of India

Abstract

The study aims to examine the association between frequency of antenatal care visits and neonatal mortality in EAG states and to explore the relationship between the timing of first antenatal care visit in the trimester and neonatal mortality in EAG states of India. The study uses data from the third round of National Family Health Survey NFHS-3. The timing of the first antenatal visit and the relative number of ANC visits received by the women is studied separately. Logistic regression is applied to find an association between continuity, the timing of ANC received and neonatal birth outcome. Results explain significant association between mothers receiving ANC 4-9 visits had experienced a lower risk of neonatal mortality. Mothers who received antenatal care visit from the first trimester experienced lest pregnancy outcomes and neonatal deaths.