Factors influencing antenatal care completion among married reproductive-age women in peri-urban Yangon, Myanmar

Abstract

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is essential for reducing maternal and perinatal mortality, however, completion of the recommended contact schedule remains inadequate in many peri-urban settings. Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess ANC completion and identify influencing factors among married reproductive-age women in peri-urban Yangon, Myanmar. Methods: Data were collected from January to April 2025 through face-to-face interviews with 408 married women aged 15–49 years who had delivered within the preceding six months. Participants were recruited using multistage cluster sampling from three peri-urban townships with the highest maternal mortality rates. ANC completion was defined as attending eight or more antenatal care contacts with a skilled birth attendant, in accordance with the 2016 WHO recommendations. Multivariable binary logistic regression identified independent predictors. Results: Only 36.8% of women completed the WHO recommended eight ANC contacts. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, adequate family support (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.37–5.67), higher transportation expenditure per ANC visit (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.32–3.64), husband's informal sector employment (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.14–2.98), and access to multiple information sources (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.01–3.16) were independently associated with ANC completion. Limited availability of healthcare personnel significantly reduced the odds of completion (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.26–0.90). Conclusion: ANC underutilization in peri-urban Yangon reflects interconnected structural and social barriers. Policy responses should prioritize family engagement programs, financial support for transportation costs, healthcare workforce strengthening, and multi-channel health communication to improve sustained ANC utilization in peri-urban populations.