Socio-demographic factors affecting utilization of Antenatal Care Services in Botswana

This study was based on secondary data from BOTSWANA FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY of 2007 (BFHS, 2007). This research draws its findings from a population of women aged between 15 and 49, who have ever been pregnant and have had a child prior to the survey. Basically, the study focused on women who have ever been pregnant and /or those who have ever had a live birth. The results, show that education, place of residence and marital status of the respondent were strongly associated with use or none use of antenatal care. Use of antenatal care services is not only associated with many attendances to antenatal care services, socio-economic factors but also associated with the way antenatal care is implemented. The findings of this study provide insights to inform planners and policy makers to draft and implement policies that would be appropriate throughout the country in the delivery of reproductive health services that would be appropriate to both the mother and child. These findings indicate that there are differentials in the use of antenatal care services. The paper is based on a Master’s thesis that used secondary data from BOTSWANA FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY of 2007 (BFHS, 2007).