Uddin Firoz. Impact of mass media on antenatal care (ANC) utilization in Bangladesh. Master's Degree(Population and Reproductive Health Research ). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2009.
Impact of mass media on antenatal care (ANC) utilization in Bangladesh
Abstract:
The study examines the net impact of exposure to mass media (TV, radio, and
newspaper) on antenatal care (ANC) utilization of pregnant mothers in Bangladesh. To
find out the impact of mass media as a programmatic factor, other independent
variables such as demographic, socio-economic, and community factors have been
considered as control variables. The dependent variable ANC is divided into two
categories, use and non use. The study utilized secondary data from the Bangladesh
Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2004 which included 5,408 mothers who
gave live birth during the five years preceding the survey. The ANC use has been
considered only for the most recent birth.
The result shows that 56 percent of pregnant mothers received antenatal care at
least once from a trained or untrained provider. Among mothers, 68 percent have
access to any mass media (TV 8%, radio 30%, and newspaper 30%). Bivariate
analysis shows that TV and radio along with other variables have significant impact on
ANC utilization, all except mothers occupation. Binary logistic regression shows that
the impact of exposure to TV and radio in using ANC is statistically significant after
controlling for other variables. That means mothers who were exposed to TV and
radio were more likely to use ANC than mothers who were not exposed to TV and
radio. It proves that TV and Radio has a strong role in using ANC.
So, in order to reduce maternal mortality, an up-to-date and attractive maternal
health care programme should be broadcast through national mass media, especially
by TV and Radio. Additionally, based on this study, policy makers and planners
should consider mass media (as a key role player to motivate mothers in seeking
maternal health services) in formulating plans and programmes to improve the
maternal health of women at reproductive ages in Bangladesh.
Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center