Predictors of antenatal care utilization in Jordan: Findings from a National survey

Objective: national interest in reaching the millennium development goals in jordan has led to advances in antenatal care (anc) coverage,but disparities still exist. this paper examines factors that predict antenatal care utilization among jordanian women,in an effort to minimize the gap in anc use. methods: this study uses cross-sectional,nationally representative data collected through the jordan national family and health survey,2007. the study population is 6725 women. the association between having >4 anc visits and early initiation of anc with a set of factors was examined using chi-square test and binary logistic regression using spss version 20. results: analysis reveal that the majority of women had more than four visits of anc (92.5%) and had early initiation of anc (88.6%). binary logistic regression results confirm that the strongest predictors of >4 anc visits are: higher education (or=3.87,95%ci=2.7-5.5),planned pregnancy (or=1.8,95%ci=1.42-2.3) and having less children (or=1.75,95%ci=1.32-2.31). for early initiation of antenatal care,predictors are: having less children (or=2.1,ci=1.6-2.6),having a planned pregnancy (or=1.78,95%ci=1.45-2.20),and living in the central region (or=1.39,95%ci=1.13-1.68). conclusions: jordanian women experience high levels of anc compared to developing countries,but disparities are evident. interventions are needed to encourage girls' education,and promote benefits of family planning to both mothers and children. outreach antenatal services can improve access to anc in rural areas,in northern,and in southern regions of jordan. © 2016 dar publishers / the university of jordan. all rights reserved.