Predictor variables

We had two predictor variables of interest in our study. The predictor variables of interest were time spent during the first ANC contact and home visits to the mother when she was pregnant. Time spent during the first ANC contact was defined as ‘the number of minutes spent with a skilled health professional during the first ANC contact excluding waiting time,’ and was categorized as ≥20 minutes and <20 minutes. We compared mothers who spent at least 20 minutes during the first ANC contact to mothers who spent less than 20 minutes during the first ANC contact when they were pregnant. We used a time distribution plot from the self-reported data on time spent during the first ANC contact to guide the categorization of time in our study.

Home visits were defined as ‘any routine or special visits by a skilled health professional to assess the home of the pregnant woman and to provide counseling and any other care that may be required.’ Mothers who received any home visit were also compared to mothers who did not receive such a visit when they were pregnant.