Abstract:
Background:Antenatal care (ANC) is one of the core interventions for improving maternal outcomes. The average
annual decline of maternal mortality rate from 1990 to 2013 was 5% in Ethiopia. This figure was below the least
expected 5.5% to achieve the targeted 75% by 1990–2015. Moreover, completion of the recommended four or
more ANC visits was only 32%. This study was aimed to examine individual, household and community level
potential determinants of completing the recommended visits in the country.
Methods:The 2014 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey data were used. Among women aged 15–49 years
3694 who had given birth in the 5 years preceding the survey were included in the analysis. The robust standard error
method of generalized estimation equations were used for binary outcome variable from the clustered data.
Results:Only 33.0% (95% CI 31. 5% 34.5%) of women completed the recommended visits. Out of the total women,
56.5% had at least one ANC visit. Out of those who had at least one ANC visit, 37.4% visited in their first trimester.
Completing the recommended visits was negatively associated with women in the lower educational level, lower
economic conditions, higher birth order, and rural residence. But, it was positively associated with the community level
high quality ANC services received. Difference in age and region also affected the completion of the recommended visits.
Conclusion:The finding revealed the need for improving the uptake ofANC services, early arrival in the first trimester for
services, and motivating mothers that begin ANC to confirm continuity. Strategies to foster completing the
recommended visits should focus on upgrading quality of care services at the community level. Women in low
economic level, high birth order, rural residence, and low educational status should be given special attention. Early
and late age groups should be given special attention regarding the services
