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

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 in Antenatal Care use are unknown. The study used the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) to examine the factors associated with the urban-rural differences in antenatal care utilization in Nigeria. Rural poor, rural non-poor, urban-poor and urban-non-poor models of antenatal care utilization were used in the study. Findings revealed a strong urban-rural differential in antenatal care utilization. The chi-square analysis showed that more urban-non-poor women received antenatal care (87.97%) than urban-poor (61.01%), rural non poor (75.77%) and rural poor women (34.62%). The logistic regression analysis revealed that women’s education and partner’s educational status are strong determinants of differentials in antenatal utilization across the four models in Nigeria. Other significant determinants are region, age of mothers, distance to health facility and number of living children with varying patterns across the four models.