Antenatal care (ANC) plays a crucial role in preventing and detecting pregnancy risks, facilitating prompt treatment, and disseminating essential information to expectant mothers. This role is particularly vital in developing countries, where a 4.65% rise in maternal mortality rate was observed in 2022, with 800 maternal and 7,700 perinatal deaths reported. The study aims to analyze the predictors and geospatial trends of the number of visits and timing of antenatal care in Zambia from 1992 to 2018, utilizing a generalized linear mixed model approach. The analysis utilized the Zambia Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) database. The relationship between dependent and independent variables was examined using the Rao-Scott Chi-square test. Predictors of inadequate utilization of ANC were identified through the multilevel generalized linear model. Spatial effects were modeled using Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) version 3.34.1 to develop univariate choropleth maps. A total of 45, 140 (31, 482 women had less than 8 ANC visits and 2, 004 had 8 or more ANC visits) women with a prior childbirth were included in the study. The findings in the study revealed that among women aged 15 to 19 years in 1992, 1996 and 2013/14, the rates of inadequate antenatal care utilization (less than eight ANC visits) were 90.87%, 90.99%, and 99.63%, respectively. Lack of formal education was associated with inadequate ANC from 1992 to 2018, with percentages ranging from 91.12% to 99.64%. They were notable geospatial variations in the distribution of ANC underutilization across provinces with Luapula, Muchinga, Northwestern, Northern and Eastern recording higher proportions. Furthermore, the study showed that age (25 to 29 and 30 to 34) was associated with increased risk of inadequacy ANC utilization (AOR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.20 – 7.19 and AOR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.05 – 6.65 respectively). Higher education and wealth index correlated with reduced odds of inadequate ANC utilization. In conclusion, this study highlights worrisome trends in ANC utilization in Zambia, with a significant rise in inadequacy, especially in adhering to the WHO's recommended eight ANC visits. Over the period from 1996 to 2018, there was a discernible decline in the prevalence of delayed initiation of ANC. The findings underscore a notable disparity between current ANC practices and established guidelines. Additionally, various factors predicting suboptimal ANC attendance have been identified. These insights call for targeted interventions to address the identified challenges and improve the overall quality and accessibility of ANC services in Zambia.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

The authors received no specific funding for this work.

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The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program

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