Malawi 2015-16

9.2 COMPONENTS OF ANC VISITS
Pregnant women are more likely to have their weight
measured to monitor foetal growth (97%), foetal
heartbeat checked (96%), a blood sample taken
(93%), and their blood pressure measured (83%)
than to have their height checked (52%). A urine
sample was only taken from 32% of women; this
reflects the fact that providing a urine sample is not
part of routine ANC but is requested only when the
health provider suspects pre-eclampsia. Nine in ten
women (90%) received information on the
recommended foods to eat during pregnancy (Table
9.3 and Figure 9.2).
Blood sample taken
93
Trends: Between 2010 and 2015-16, there has been
an increase in three components of ANC visits. The proportion of pregnant women who received
information on foods to eat rose from 81% in 2010 to 90% in 2015-16, blood samples increased from 82%
in 2010 to 93% in 2015-16, and urine sample collection rose from 28% in 2010 to 32% in 2015-16. The
proportions of women who had height, weight, and blood pressure measurements were nearly identical
between 2010 and 2015-16.
Other Components of ANC
The survey also collected data on other components of care that are important to maternal and newborn
health outcomes. Nine in 10 women (89%) took iron tables and 5 in 10 women (52%) took medications for
intestinal parasites. The percentage of women who took iron tablets is similar to the percentage in 2010
(91%). In the same time period, the percentage of women who took medications for intestinal parasites
has risen markedly (27% in 2010 versus 52% in 2015-16).
9.3 PROTECTION AGAINST NEONATAL TETANUS
Protection against neonatal tetanus
The number of tetanus toxoid injections needed to protect a baby from
neonatal tetanus depends on the mother’s vaccinations. A birth is protected
against neonatal tetanus if the mother has received any of the following:
Figure 9.2 Components of antenatal care
Among women who received ANC for their
most recent birth, the percentage with
selected services
Information on foods to eat
Fetal heartbeat checked
Height measured
Weighed
Blood pressure measured
Urine sample taken
Two tetanus toxoid injections during that pregnancy
Two or more injections, the last one within 3 years of the birth
Three or more injections, the last one within 5 years of the birth
Four or more injections, the last one within 10 years of the birth
Five or more injections at any time prior to the birth
Sample: Last live births in the 5 years before the survey to women age 15-49
32
52
83
90
96
97
Neonatal tetanus, a major cause of early infant death in many developing countries, is often due to failure
to observe hygienic procedures during delivery. Table 9.4 shows that 90% of women’s last births were
protected against neonatal tetanus.
Trends: Between 2010 and 2015-16, the proportion of births protected against neonatal tetanus increased
slightly from 87% to 90%.
Maternal Health Care • 121