Assessing the determinants associated with fidelity to the 2016 world health organization antenatal care policy across states in Nigeria

Abstract Aim This study examined the determinants associated with fidelity to five selected antenatal care (ANC) components—based on the 2016 World Health Organization ANC policy—across states in Nigeria. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using a post-implementation sample, n = 1,495 wome...

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Main Authors: Christiana Ikemeh, Adedayo O. Adeyemi, Leah M. Frerichs, Christopher M. Shea, Justin G. Trogdon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Health Systems
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44250-025-00275-x
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author Christiana Ikemeh
Adedayo O. Adeyemi
Leah M. Frerichs
Christopher M. Shea
Justin G. Trogdon
author_facet Christiana Ikemeh
Adedayo O. Adeyemi
Leah M. Frerichs
Christopher M. Shea
Justin G. Trogdon
author_sort Christiana Ikemeh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Aim This study examined the determinants associated with fidelity to five selected antenatal care (ANC) components—based on the 2016 World Health Organization ANC policy—across states in Nigeria. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using a post-implementation sample, n = 1,495 women, who completed recommended eight visit ANC (8vANC), obtained from the 2021 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey data. Fidelity was measured as the proportion of women who cumulatively adhered to five selected ANC components—timing of first ANC visit, blood pressure measurement, tetanus vaccinations, urinalysis, and blood sample test. A binary outcome variable was generated as a fidelity index by creating a composite score from all the measures of the five components, which was categorized as ‘concordant’ and ‘partial/non-concordant’. We also used a multilevel modeling mixed effects logistic regression method for analysis and applied an implementation research approach to examine the associated determinants. Results Among women who completed 8vANC, 99.7% initiated their first ANC visit within 12 weeks of gestation. The rate of concordance with the five selected ANC components was 84.1%. Compared with maternal age of 15–19 years, women aged 35–39 years had higher odds of concordance (OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.05–7.60), whereas a parity of ≥ 4 children (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.15–0.46) was associated with lower odds of concordance, compared with parity of one child. There was no statistically significant variation observed across the states. Conclusion Our findings show that, among women who completed 8vANC, the likelihood of fidelity to the selected ANC components is relatively high and homogenous across states in Nigeria. However, it is imperative that advocacy efforts be specifically directed towards multiparous women to ensure adherence to all policy recommendations. Further research is needed to evaluate the degree to which the state-level implementation of the policy may have also influenced adherence to the selected ANC components.
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spelling doaj-art-e6c3056fc7d94729b981aff4e96ed2f92025-08-20T04:03:03ZengSpringer NatureDiscover Health Systems2731-75012025-07-014111810.1007/s44250-025-00275-xAssessing the determinants associated with fidelity to the 2016 world health organization antenatal care policy across states in NigeriaChristiana Ikemeh0Adedayo O. Adeyemi1Leah M. Frerichs2Christopher M. Shea3Justin G. Trogdon4Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillCenter for Infectious Diseases Research and EvaluationDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillAbstract Aim This study examined the determinants associated with fidelity to five selected antenatal care (ANC) components—based on the 2016 World Health Organization ANC policy—across states in Nigeria. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using a post-implementation sample, n = 1,495 women, who completed recommended eight visit ANC (8vANC), obtained from the 2021 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey data. Fidelity was measured as the proportion of women who cumulatively adhered to five selected ANC components—timing of first ANC visit, blood pressure measurement, tetanus vaccinations, urinalysis, and blood sample test. A binary outcome variable was generated as a fidelity index by creating a composite score from all the measures of the five components, which was categorized as ‘concordant’ and ‘partial/non-concordant’. We also used a multilevel modeling mixed effects logistic regression method for analysis and applied an implementation research approach to examine the associated determinants. Results Among women who completed 8vANC, 99.7% initiated their first ANC visit within 12 weeks of gestation. The rate of concordance with the five selected ANC components was 84.1%. Compared with maternal age of 15–19 years, women aged 35–39 years had higher odds of concordance (OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.05–7.60), whereas a parity of ≥ 4 children (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.15–0.46) was associated with lower odds of concordance, compared with parity of one child. There was no statistically significant variation observed across the states. Conclusion Our findings show that, among women who completed 8vANC, the likelihood of fidelity to the selected ANC components is relatively high and homogenous across states in Nigeria. However, it is imperative that advocacy efforts be specifically directed towards multiparous women to ensure adherence to all policy recommendations. Further research is needed to evaluate the degree to which the state-level implementation of the policy may have also influenced adherence to the selected ANC components.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44250-025-00275-xAntenatal careDeterminantsFidelityHealth policyImplementation research
spellingShingle Christiana Ikemeh
Adedayo O. Adeyemi
Leah M. Frerichs
Christopher M. Shea
Justin G. Trogdon
Assessing the determinants associated with fidelity to the 2016 world health organization antenatal care policy across states in Nigeria
Discover Health Systems
Antenatal care
Determinants
Fidelity
Health policy
Implementation research
title Assessing the determinants associated with fidelity to the 2016 world health organization antenatal care policy across states in Nigeria
title_full Assessing the determinants associated with fidelity to the 2016 world health organization antenatal care policy across states in Nigeria
title_fullStr Assessing the determinants associated with fidelity to the 2016 world health organization antenatal care policy across states in Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the determinants associated with fidelity to the 2016 world health organization antenatal care policy across states in Nigeria
title_short Assessing the determinants associated with fidelity to the 2016 world health organization antenatal care policy across states in Nigeria
title_sort assessing the determinants associated with fidelity to the 2016 world health organization antenatal care policy across states in nigeria
topic Antenatal care
Determinants
Fidelity
Health policy
Implementation research
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44250-025-00275-x
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