Utilisation of Antenatal care and Neonatal Mortality in Ghana

Abstract

This study investigates the utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) and its bearing on neonatal mortality in Ghana over a two-decade span from 2003 to 2022, utilizing data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS). The primary objectives are to analyze trends in neonatal mortality, assess patterns of ANC utilisation, and examine the variability in neonatal mortality attributed to ANC services. The analysis revealed a substantial decline in Neonatal Mortality Rates (NMR), with odds ratios indicating substantial reductions, particularly between the 2014 and 2022 surveys. The study also highlighted the correlation between ANC visits and neonatal outcomes, showing that mothers who attended four plus ANC sessions had notably lower NMR. Logistic regression analyses identify key factors influencing neonatal survival, including the timing of ANC visits, maternal education, and socioeconomic status, while controlling for various sociodemographic variables. Importantly, children born to married mothers and those receiving multiple tetanus injections during pregnancy exhibited significantly lower odds of neonatal mortality. These results highlight the importance of quality antenatal care for better neonatal outcomes and stress the need for ongoing public health efforts to boost maternal and child health in Ghana. This aligns with global initiatives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.