What is it about?
In this study, we examined whether women's migration patterns are linked to their use of antenatal care services in Bangladesh. We analyzed nationally representative data from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, including 4,306 currently married women who had given birth within the previous three years. We found that women who moved from rural areas to urban areas were more likely to receive the recommended antenatal care than women living in urban areas. In contrast, women who moved from urban areas to rural areas were less likely to receive professional and quality antenatal care. We also found that education, exposure to mass media, and household wealth were strongly associated with better use of antenatal care services. These findings suggest that where women live after migration can greatly influence their access to maternal healthcare. Improving healthcare services in rural areas and ensuring that migrant women can easily access quality antenatal care could help reduce inequalities and improve maternal and newborn health in Bangladesh.
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Why is it important?
Maternal mortality remains a major public health challenge in Bangladesh, and many women still do not receive the recommended antenatal care during pregnancy. While previous studies have focused on rural-urban differences or socioeconomic inequalities, little attention has been given to how internal migration affects access to maternal healthcare. Using the latest nationally representative data collected after the COVID-19 pandemic, this study provides new evidence that the direction of internal migration matters. Women who move from rural to urban areas are more likely to receive recommended antenatal care, whereas those moving from urban to rural areas are at greater risk of inadequate care. These findings highlight the need for migration-sensitive health policies, stronger rural healthcare systems, and targeted interventions for migrant women. The evidence can help policymakers and healthcare providers design strategies that promote equitable access to quality maternal healthcare in Bangladesh and other low- and middle-income countries facing similar challenges.
Perspectives
We were motivated by the observation that internal migration is common in Bangladesh, yet its influence on maternal healthcare has received limited attention. While many studies have examined socioeconomic inequalities in antenatal care, very few have explored how women's movement between rural and urban areas shapes their access to these essential services. Working with nationally representative BDHS 2022 data allowed us to investigate this important issue in the post-pandemic context. One of the most striking findings was the contrast between rural-to-urban and urban-to-rural migrants, emphasizing that migration can either improve or reduce access to quality maternal healthcare depending on where women move. We hope this research encourages greater attention to migration as a social determinant of maternal health and supports evidence-based policies that strengthen rural healthcare systems while ensuring equitable access to antenatal care for all women, regardless of where they live. We also hope it inspires further research on migration, women's health, and healthcare inequalities in Bangladesh and other low- and middle-income countries.
Md. Minhajul
University of Rajshahi
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Influence of internal migration on antenatal care utilization in Bangladesh: Findings from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey, PLOS One, June 2026, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0345817.
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