Trends and Patterns of Inequality in Utilizing Antenatal Care among Women in Bangladesh.

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is vital for screening, disease detection, and health education for expectant mothers. Objective: This study aimed to analyze factors that influence the utilization of ANC services in Bangladesh, assess socioeconomic disparities, and identify factors contributing to these disparities among reproductive-aged women. Methods: Data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) in the period 2007–2018 were used for the study, and a total of 30,940 (weighted) Bangladeshi women aged 15–49 years were included. Decomposition analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze data. Results: The prevalence of ANC utilization in Bangladesh increased from 20.44% in 2007 to 46.86% in 2017–18. This study found that the place of residence (14.26%), mothers' education (21.84%), birth order (7.11%), and partners' education (14.64%) were the main contributors to the socioeconomic inequalities in the ANC-seeking behavior. Women residing in urban areas [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35–1.60; P < 0.001), having higher education (AOR: 3.00; CI: 2.47–3.64; P < 0.001), being overweight/obese (AOR: 1.21; CI: 1.09–1.34; P < 0.001), and having partners with higher education (AOR: 1.53; CI: 1.32–1.79; P < 0.001) are more likely to utilize ANC compared to women who do not have these attributes. Conclusion: The study highlighted the socioeconomic factors (i.e., women's education, partner's education, household wealth, and women's body mass index); however, due to the unavailability of related data, it did not include sociocultural variables that may influence ANC utilization in Bangladesh. It also revealed the disparities between rural and urban areas. To increase ANC utilization by women, the government can implement strategies that address rural infrastructure, prevent child marriage, and improve health information access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]