Analysis of antenatal care, intranatal care and postnatal care utilization: Findings from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Maternal healthcare utilization by young women and adolescent girls is associated with maternal health outcomes and plays a critical role in reducing maternal mortality rates in low- and middle-income countries. This study sought to analyze current data on antenatal care (ANC), intranatal care (INC), and postnatal care (PNC) utilization with a focus on mothers aged 15–24 years in Indonesia. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of data from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey. The unit data analyzed 2,584 mothers aged 15–24 years who had delivered babies within the five-year period preceding the survey. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression utilizing descriptive statistics were used to explore correlations between the independent variables and ANC, INC, and PNC visits. RESULTS: Among the mothers included in the study, the prevalence of service utilization was 90.9% for ANC, 79.4% for INC, and 68.9% for PNC. Women’s age, education level, number and birth order of children, difference in age between the mother and her husband, her husband’s occupation, wealth index, access to the health service, and regional factors were significantly associated with the utilization of ANC, INC, and PNC services. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights for policymakers on how to strengthen healthcare policies and laws with the aim to improve maternal healthcare services for mothers aged 15–24 years. To improve maternal healthcare utilization among young mothers, national policy should focus on service equality, accessibility, and reliable implementation.