Economic and Demographic Factors Associated With Antenatal Care Utilization in Bangladesh: An Ordered Response Analysis Using Cross‐Sectional Data

Background and Aims: The global strategy for the health of women and children under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 focuses on reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. Antenatal Care (ANC) is a crucial factor in meeting these objectives. Adequate ANC depends on four key dimensions: timely initiation, sufficient number of visits, skilled provider involvement, and appropriate content. A limited number of studies have assessed all these conditions in low- and middle-income countries. This study assesses the adequacy of ANC services in Bangladesh, examining four key dimensions. Methods: Using data from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) and ordinal logistic regression, we explore associations between socioeconomic and demographic factors and ANC adequacy. Results: Our results show that wealth, education (both women's and partners'), urban residence, age at childbirth, and mass media exposure are significantly associated with ANC adequacy. Wealthier, more educated women with educated partners and urban residents were more likely to receive adequate ANC. Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for targeted policies to enhance the quality and equity of ANC services, which enable Bangladesh achieving maternal health targets under SDG 3.