Bridging Gaps in Antenatal Care in Africa: From Challenges to Policy Solutions

Antenatal care (ANC) is essential for reducing maternal and newborn mortality, yet its continuity remains a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite improvements in ANC initiation, many women fail to complete the recommended visits, especially in rural areas, due to structural barriers, socioeconomic disparities, and sociocultural norms. Urban-rural inequalities, age, education, and household wealth significantly influence ANC discontinuity. However, policy innovations—ranging from health system reforms and community outreach to mobile health interventions—demonstrate promising results. Ensuring continuous, high-quality ANC requires integrated, context-sensitive strategies that address both supply- and demand-side barriers.