ENHANCING MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH THROUGH EFFECTIVE ANTENATAL CARE PRACTICES: A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Keywords:
Antenatal Care; Maternal Health; Newborn Health; Pregnancy Outcomes; Nursing; Quality of Care.Abstract
Background: Effective antenatal care (ANC) is a cornerstone of maternal and newborn health, providing critical interventions that reduce pregnancy-related complications and improve perinatal outcomes. Despite its importance, gaps in ANC utilization, quality, and accessibility persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, contributing to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Objective: This review examines strategies for strengthening ANC services, focusing on evidence-based interventions such as early initiation of care, structured screening, nutrition supplementation, infection prevention, health education, and integrated service delivery, and synthesizes empirical evidence on the determinants, components, and outcomes of effective ANC.
Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted, synthesizing peer-reviewed empirical studies, systematic reviews, and programme evaluations published mainly between 2021 and 2025 that addressed antenatal care concepts, components, utilization, barriers, and strengthening strategies across low-, middle-, and high-income settings.
Findings: Factors influencing ANC effectiveness include healthcare provider capacity, facility readiness, community engagement, and socio-cultural determinants. Strengthened ANC practices improve maternal nutrition, adherence to recommended visits, detection and management of pregnancy risks, and institutional delivery rates, ultimately enhancing maternal and newborn outcomes. Nurses and midwives play a pivotal role in implementing effective ANC through patient-centered care, counseling, inter-professional collaboration, and continuous professional development.
Conclusion/Recommendations: Recommendations include promoting early and regular ANC attendance, integrating comprehensive interventions into routine visits, enhancing community and family involvement, improving health system infrastructure, and supporting research on innovative ANC models. Prioritizing effective antenatal care is essential to reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and advancing overall public health.
