Background Antenatal care (ANC) is critical in enhancing maternal and child health outcomes by providing preventive and curative services that mitigate complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Despite its benefits, access to adequate ANC remains limited in developing countries due to socioeconomic and geographic disparities. Methods This study uses data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series-Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (IPUMS-MICS) from 39 countries to analyse the impact of mobile phone ownership on ANC utilisation. Probit and IV Probit regression models are employed, using ‘justification of spousal violence’ and residential status as instrumental variables to address the potential endogeneity in mobile phone usage. Results Probit regression models show mobile phone ownership is positively associated with ANC access (<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="44250_2025_230_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="17" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="138" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\beta = 0.205; p < 0.01$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mi>β</mi> <mo>=</mo> <mn>0.205</mn> <mo>;</mo> <mi>p</mi> <mo><</mo> <mn>0.01</mn> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>), although the effect diminishes when other factors are considered (<InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="44250_2025_230_Article_IEq2.gif" Format="GIF" Height="17" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="138" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\beta = 0.145; p > 0.05$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mi>β</mi> <mo>=</mo> <mn>0.145</mn> <mo>;</mo> <mi>p</mi> <mo>></mo> <mn>0.05</mn> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>). IV probit models confirm a robust positive association between mobile phone ownership and ANC access (<InlineEquation ID="IEq3"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="44250_2025_230_Article_IEq3.gif" Format="GIF" Height="17" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="146" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\beta = 1.616; p < 0.001$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mi>β</mi> <mo>=</mo> <mn>1.616</mn> <mo>;</mo> <mi>p</mi> <mo><</mo> <mn>0.001</mn> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>). Additionally, mobile phone ownership significantly increases the likelihood of receiving skilled ANC (<InlineEquation ID="IEq4"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="44250_2025_230_Article_IEq4.gif" Format="GIF" Height="17" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="146" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\beta = 0.270; p < 0.001$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mi>β</mi> <mo>=</mo> <mn>0.270</mn> <mo>;</mo> <mi>p</mi> <mo><</mo> <mn>0.001</mn> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>) and optimal ANC (<InlineEquation ID="IEq5"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="44250_2025_230_Article_IEq5.gif" Format="GIF" Height="17" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="146" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\beta = 0.321; p < 0.001$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mi>β</mi> <mo>=</mo> <mn>0.321</mn> <mo>;</mo> <mi>p</mi> <mo><</mo> <mn>0.001</mn> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>). Conclusions These findings suggest that mobile technology can mitigate barriers to maternal healthcare, though the impact varies across socioeconomic and geographic contexts, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to ANC services.

Women’s mobile connectivity: improving ANC care utilisation in developing countries

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2025年9月13日

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Amir-ud-Din Rafi,
Noreen Syeda Zobia,
Zafar Sameen,
Khan Muhammad,
Atif Rao Muhammad

摘要

Background

Antenatal care (ANC) is critical in enhancing maternal and child health outcomes by providing preventive and curative services that mitigate complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Despite its benefits, access to adequate ANC remains limited in developing countries due to socioeconomic and geographic disparities.

Methods

This study uses data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series-Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (IPUMS-MICS) from 39 countries to analyse the impact of mobile phone ownership on ANC utilisation. Probit and IV Probit regression models are employed, using ‘justification of spousal violence’ and residential status as instrumental variables to address the potential endogeneity in mobile phone usage.

Results

Probit regression models show mobile phone ownership is positively associated with ANC access ( $\beta = 0.205; p < 0.01$ $β = 0.205; p < 0.01$ ), although the effect diminishes when other factors are considered ( $\beta = 0.145; p > 0.05$ $β = 0.145; p > 0.05$ ). IV probit models confirm a robust positive association between mobile phone ownership and ANC access ( $\beta = 1.616; p < 0.001$ $β = 1.616; p < 0.001$ ). Additionally, mobile phone ownership significantly increases the likelihood of receiving skilled ANC ( $\beta = 0.270; p < 0.001$ $β = 0.270; p < 0.001$ ) and optimal ANC ( $\beta = 0.321; p < 0.001$ $β = 0.321; p < 0.001$ ).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that mobile technology can mitigate barriers to maternal healthcare, though the impact varies across socioeconomic and geographic contexts, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to ANC services.