Antenatal Care Utilization and HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Women in Senegal

Background: Research indicates that the frequency and timing of antenatal care (ANC) visits play a critical role in the health and well-being of mothers and their babies. Additionally, awareness of HIV/AIDS and understanding HIV transmission are vital to reducing risky behaviors. Senegal serves as an outstanding success story in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. This study analyzes factors associated with the utilization of ANC among women of reproductive age (15-49 years of age) who delivered a baby within the last three years (recent birth) and knowledge of HIV transmission among women. Objective: To determine: (a) factors that are associated with eight or more ANC visits and (b) factors that are associated with timing of the first ANC visit among recent mothers in Senegal; and (c) factors that are associated with (i) HIV/AIDS awareness and (ii) knowledge of HIV prevention among women in Senegal. Methods: This study utilized data from the 2023 Senegal Continuous Demographic and Health Survey. We conducted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine factors associated with having eight or more ANC visits, the timing of the first ANC visit, and awareness of HIV/AIDS, including knowledge of HIV prevention among all Senegalese women and those who recently delivered a baby. We employed ninety-five percent confidence intervals and p-values to assess statistical significance. Results: Older age was associated with decreased odds, while more education, wealth, and being employed (within the preceding 12 months) were independently associated with increased odds of attending eight or more ANC visits. Higher levels of education among respondents and their husbands/partners were associated with greater odds of the first ANC visit occurring in the first trimester. For all women, more education and wealth, being employed, and literacy presented higher odds of knowledge of HIV transmission reduction with the use of condoms. For respondents with recent births, younger age, more education, increased wealth, and being employed resulted in higher odds of knowledge of HIV transmission reduction with the use of condoms. Among all women, increased education and wealth, and employment status indicated higher odds of knowledge of HIV transmission reduction when engaging in sexual relations with one uninfected partner. Respondents with recent births had higher odds of knowledge of HIV transmission reduction when engaging in sexual relations with one uninfected partner when they were younger, more educated, and wealthier. Higher education, increased wealth, and being employed presented higher odds of knowledge that there is no risk of HIV transmission from exposure to a mosquito bite for women respondents. Women who recently delivered a baby had higher odds of knowing mosquito risk when their education and wealth were higher. Results for women indicated higher odds of reporting there is no risk of HIV transmission from sharing foods with people living with HIV, with increased education, wealth, and holding employment. Women with recent births had increased odds of the same knowledge when they were more educated and wealthier. The results of the study for women yielded higher odds for knowledge that a healthy-looking person can be living with HIV, with respondents who were older, more educated, wealthier, and employed. In contrast, women with recent births had increased odds of this knowledge when they were younger, more educated, and wealthier. Conclusion: Increasing the utilization of ANC requires strategic initiatives that address factors affecting the most disadvantaged populations, particularly access, availability, and the timing of ANC services. Promoting efforts both within and outside the healthcare system, while ensuring the cultural context is integrated into policies and programming, to increase access to ANC, is a catalyst for improved health outcomes. To improve awareness of HIV/AIDS and knowledge of HIV prevention, sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors associated with decreased awareness and knowledge should be mitigated, while respecting the cultural context.