The Magnitude of Optimal Antenatal Care Utilization and Its Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Adequate antenatal care is essential for the health of the mother and the development of the fetus. The World Health Organization recommends at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits during pregnancy. In Ethiopia, only 32% of women of childbearing age attend four or more ANC visits. This figure is significantly lower than the average for least developed countries. This study is aimed at calculating the magnitude and identifying the factors associated with optimal antenatal care utilization in the South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the South Gondar Zone of Northwest Ethiopia from September 2020 to May 2021. A total of 434 participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A multivariate binary logistic regression model was used to determine the factors associated with the optimal use of antenatal care. RESULT: The magnitude of optimal antenatal care utilization was 59% (95% CI; 54.20, 63.65). The study showed that mothers who completed their secondary school (AOR = 8.205; 95% CI: 3.406, 19.767), women who completed their tertiary school (AOR = 6.406; 95% CI: 2.229, 18.416), women whose husbands' level of education is secondary school (AOR = 5.967; 95% CI: 2.753, 12.936), those with a planned pregnancy (AOR = 1.912; 95% CI: 1.117, 3.271), those with a wanted pregnancy (AOR = 2.341; 95% CI: 1.366, 4.009), women whose husbands work in the government or nongovernment sector (AOR = 3.736; 95% CI: 2.093, 6.669), those not being exposed to the media (AOR = 0.520; 95% CI: 0.345, 0.783), and rural women (AOR = 0.267; 95% CI: 0.164, 0.435) were significantly associated with optimal ANC utilization. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that more emphasis should be placed on education-based programs for women and their husbands that highlight the benefits of a planned pregnancy, desired pregnancy, and maternal health care. Meanwhile, the government and other concerned bodies should focus on expanding road accessibility, health institutions, and ambulance distribution to improve optimal ANC utilization in the area.