Attendance of fourth Antenatal Care Visit in Ethiopia: Analysis from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey

Abstract Background Globally, approximately 830 women have been reported to die every day due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all of these deaths occurred during the third trimester of pregnancy. This could have been reduced by having adequate Antenatal care visits. However, little is known about the determinants of fourth Antenatal care visit. This study is therefore conducted to identify determinants of attendance of fourth Antenatal visits in Ethiopia. Method This study was an analysis of data collected by the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey which used a stratified, two-stage cluster sampling design. Bivariate and multivariable regression analysis was done to declare association between independent predictors and attendance of fourth Antenatal care visit. Result The independent factors affecting fourth Antenatal visit were highest wealth index (Adjusted Odds Ratio(AOR) = 1.85; 95% Confidence interval (CI) (1.41, 2.44), watching television less than once in a week (AOR= 0.64; 95%CI (0.46, 0.88), not informed about pregnancy complications during previous visit (AOR= 0.59; 95%CI (0.51, 0.70) and women who were not given or who did not buy iron tablets/syrup (AOR= 0.64; 95%CI (0.55, 0.75). Conclusion In this study wealth index, frequencies of watching television, information about pregnancy complication, given or bought iron tablets/syrup were the predictors. Therefore integrated service of proper counseling on birth preparedness and complication readiness, Iron folic acid provision by health care providers and other integrated multi-sectoral collaborations are also highly important to improve the wealth index and health literacy of mothers.