[Prenatal care in Venezuela: results from the "Encuesta Nacional sobre Condiciones de Vida" survey]

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of inadequate prenatal care among mothers in Venezuela and to identify associated sociodemographic, economic, and healthcare-related factors. Data were sourced from the Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Vida (ENCOVI, 2021). The sample included women residing in Venezuela who gave birth between February 9, 2016, and March 27, 2020 (n = 2,218). Prenatal care was classified as inadequate if it was initiated after the third month of pregnancy or included fewer than six visits. Findings indicate that 36.3% of mothers received inadequate prenatal care, with 25% initiating care late and 28% attending fewer than six visits. In adjusted analyses, key risk factors included having more than three children compared to mothers without other children, living in extreme poverty, and having lower educational attainment, with prevalence nearly twice as high among women with less formal education. These findings underscore a neglected consequence of Venezuela's ongoing humanitarian crisis, contributing to a broader understanding of rising maternal and infant mortality. The results also emphasize the urgent need to counteract misinformation and strengthen policies that promote equitable access to maternal healthcare.