Determinants of Urban-Rural Differentials of Antenatal Care Utilization in Nigeria

Blessing B.I. Babalola, University of the Witwatersrand
Temitope O. Adeyoju, University of the Witwatersrand
Anne Makumi, University of the Witwatersrand

Demographic and public health studies have indicated urban-rural differences in the utilization of antenatal care services. However, factors accounting for the urban-rural differentials of Antenatal Care utilization are unknown. The study used the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) to examine the factors associated with the urban-rural differences of antenatal care utilization in Nigeria. Rural and urban models as well as the model that combines both rural and urban residence of antenatal care utilization were used in the study. Findings revealed that age, region, women education, distance to health facility, partner’s education, and wealth status were significantly associated with antenatal care utilization both in the rural and urban areas of Nigeria. Religion and occupation were significantly associated with antenatal care utilization only in the rural areas while number of living children revealed a significant association with antenatal care utilization only in the urban area at 5% level of significance.