Digital Connectivity and Antenatal Care Utilisation in Tanzania: Exploring the Role of Internet Use

Abstract

Antenatal Care (ANC) is essential for improving maternal and child health, yet coverage remains uneven in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. Guided by Information Asymmetry Theory and the Health Belief Model, this study examines the role of digital connectivity on ANC utilisation in Tanzania, where evidence on information pathways and maternal health-seeking remains limited. Using data from the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative sample of 5,825 women aged 15-49 years was analysed. Poisson regression was applied to model the count of ANC visits, while logistic regression assessed the binary attainment of the World Health Organisation’s recommended visits, allowing analysis of multiple dimensions of ANC utilisation. Findings indicate that digital connectivity, as proxied by internet use, is positively associated with improving ANC visits: women who were digitally connected were 9% more likely to complete four or more visits. Employment and household wealth also increased ANC use, while higher parity and longer travel time to health facilities reduced it. Moreover, the effect of digital access was stronger in urban areas, highlighting persistent inequalities. These results suggest that expanding affordable digital connectivity and integrating digital health communication into maternal health strategies could complement existing interventions and enhance ANC coverage in Tanzania.