Date of Conferral

7-3-2025

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Stacy-Ann Christian

Abstract

Maternal mortality is growing at an alarming rate in Nigeria, ranking the second highest Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) globally. This cross-sectional study examined the association between the timing of the first antenatal check and the number of Antenatal Care (ANC) visits during pregnancy and its impact on maternal mortality using the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2018 among a study population of women 15 - 49 years old. The theoretical framework for this study was grounded in the socioecological model. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine if there are relationships between timing of first antenatal check, the number of ANC visits, and the maternal mortality rate in the target population. Results revealed a statistically significant association between the timing of the first antenatal check and maternal mortality (p = 0.003). A statistically significant association was also found between the number of ANC visits and maternal mortality (p = 0.0033). The results suggest that an earlier timing of the first antenatal check, and an increase in the number of ANC visits, decreases maternal mortality. Findings emphasize the need for policy makers, and maternal health program implementers to amplify strategically designed mass community health promotion campaigns that educate women, men, and communities about the benefits of early ANC. Doing so can promote and protect the health of women and their unborn babies in order to have a healthy mother and healthy baby, ultimately reducing MMR.

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