Child and Maternal Mortality
in Islamic Countries
25
Figure 2.8. Antenatal care from a skilled provider by wealth quintile and education level of
women in selected OIC countries
Data source: Demographic and Health Surveys
ANC is substantially low in rural areas, compared to urban areas, in Afghanistan, Morocco,
Mauritania, Niger and Togo (Figure 2.8). The world Health Organization (WHO) earlier
recommended that pregnant women should complete at least four ANC visits, which is known
as the FANC model. Since 2016, WHO recommends a minimum of eight ANC contacts: the first
contact to take place in the first trimester, two contacts in the second trimester (at 20 and 26
weeks of gestation) and five contacts scheduled in the third trimester (at 30, 34, 36, 38 and 40
weeks). 30 The Demographic and Health Surveys report any ANC visit and at least four ANC
(ANC4+) visits.
Although any ANC visits in some countries were more than 90%, theWHO recommended at least
four ANC visits were substantially lower in most countries. In several countries, ANC4+ visits
were more than 50% lower in the rural areas compared to urban areas. Continuum of maternal
care in rural settings remains a challenge in many OIC countries.