Association of ANC Attendance and Utilization of Services with Newborn Survival in India

Ipsita Mali, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

The study analysed the impact of antenatal care (ANC) utilization on newborn survival in India. Despite remarkable progress in reducing child deaths, neonatal mortality remains a critical bottleneck in India. Overall 2% of the children born during the five years preceding the survey died within 28 days after birth. The study found that women who attended at least eight ANC visits and had their first visit in the first trimester had a 20% lower risk of neonatal deaths. About 61% of women received all the eight essential care components during ANC visits for their last pregnancy at least once. The study also found that a unit increase in the quality of prenatal care services is associated with a decreased risk of neonatal mortality. Of all the eight essential components, counselling on pregnancy-related complications by a health personnel, was the least performed component of care. A mass deprivation was seen in the regularity of ANC visits i.e., 4 and 8 or more visits, across the country. The study underscores the need for regular ANC follow-up, early detection of problems, and improved training for health personnel to reduce neonatal mortality and timely delivery of services.

Keywords: Data and Methods, Health and Morbidity, Population Policies, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

See paper.