Social Factors Influence on Utilisation of Antenatal Care Among Married Women: A Quantitative Research Study Conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan is one of the developing countries with high maternal mortality rate 186/100000 live births. Sociologists argue that the social and demographic dynamics of society are one of the contributing factors to poor maternal health care. This study investigates the influence of social and demographic factors on the use of antenatal health care in district Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A cross-sectional household survey approach was used, and data was collected from 470 married women aged 15-49 years. Statistical analysis explained that majority (75%) of married women stay in home during antenatal care in the study locale, in mountains areas 81.5 percent women stay in home during antenatal care checkup, and 71 percent stay in home in joint family. The study suggests that an awareness program should be started to reduce girl child marriages in Pakhtunkhwa and cash incentives should be started to encourage institutional antenatal care.