Global Antenatal Care Coverage and Content

Abstract

Access to, timely initiation of, and good quality antenatal care is crucial to reducing the global burden of neonatal morbidity and mortality which disproportionately affects low-and middle-income countries. Despite the availability of global guidance regarding the frequency and content of ANC, the utilisation of such care to assess and address the risks of preterm birth remains patchy, largely because public awareness has not been sufficiently raised regarding the evidenced risk factors for preterm birth that may be amenable to early initiation of mitigation. This chapter briefly summarises recommended global ANC coverage standards as a basis for discussions in subsequent chapters regarding how improved coverage addressing the risk factors for preterm birth in LMICs can contribute to reducing preterm birth rates.