Number of antenatal care visits and associated factors among reproductive age women in Sub-Saharan Africa using recent demographic and health survey data from 2008-2019: A multilevel negative binomial regression model.

The mean number of ANC visits in SSA approximates the minimum recommended number of ANC visits by the World Health Organization. Women's educational status, women's age, media exposure, parity, planned pregnancy, wealth status, residence, country's income, and region of SSA had a significant association with the frequency of ANC visits. This study suggests that addressing geographical disparities and socio-economic inequalities will help to alleviate the reduced utilization of ANC services.