Individual-level and community-level factors associated with eight or more antenatal care contacts in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from 36 sub-Saharan African countries.

Compliance with the WHO guidelines on the minimum number of ANC contacts in sub-Saharan Africa is poor. We recommend that mother and child health programmes review existing policies and develop new policies to adopt, execute and address the obstacles to maintaining the WHO-recommended minimum of eight ANC interactions. Women's education, economic position, media exposure and family planning uptake should be prioritised and improved. Urgent intervention is required to meet the minimum of eight ANC contacts in sub-Saharan Africa.