Barriers to Antenatal Care Attendance in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Maternal Health
• Healthcare Access

Background:

• Antenatal care (ANC) is vital for maternal and fetal well-being.
• Significant barriers prevent women in developing nations from accessing essential ANC services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review obstacles and facilitators of ANC attendance.
• To explore determinants of healthcare utilization among pregnant women.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search (PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science) for studies from 2015-2025.
• Inclusion of ten cross-country studies from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Bangladesh, and Malawi.
• Risk of bias assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Main Results:

• Key barriers include financial constraints, transportation challenges, and cultural beliefs.
• Facilitators identified are community-based programs, male involvement, and improved healthcare facilities.
• Health education and community health workers (CHWs) were highlighted in Tanzanian and Ethiopian studies.

Conclusions:

• Addressing economic, cultural, and healthcare access barriers is crucial for increasing ANC attendance.
• Empowerment initiatives, community programs, and transportation strategies can enhance maternal health.
• Future research should employ longitudinal and experimental designs to assess intervention effectiveness.