The effects of pregnancy intention on the use of
antenatal care services: systematic review and
meta-analysisThe systematic review demonstrated that women’s pregnancy
intention influences antenatal care utilization. Subgroup
analysis also showed that there are increased odds
of delayed and inadequate antenatal care use among
women with unintended pregnancies in both developing
and developed countries. This has important policy
implications, particularly for developing countries with
high maternal mortality. Information on the importance
of planning and healthy timing of pregnancies should
be provided for women of reproductive ages through
all appropriate channels. Moreover, maternal health
care providers should provide appropriate counseling for
women with unintended pregnancies to encourage them
to complete the recommended package of antenatal care
services.