WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC
Available evidence suggests that a vast majority of pregnant women in the low-income and middle-income countries receive at least one antenatal care visit with a skilled provider. However, only about half receive at least four visits and even fewer achieve the current WHO recommendation of at least eight contacts either through outreach programmes or health worker involvement. Community health workers have been shown to improve access to quality services, including antenatal care and institutional delivery.