ICTs and maternal healthcare utilization. Evidence from Ghana

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 518-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Abekah-Nkrumah ◽  
Marta Guerriero ◽  
Purnima Purohit
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Supply Side ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – Traditionally, the role of technology on health services has been argued from the supply side. The purpose of this paper is to use a demand side perspective to examine the effect of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on the use of maternal health services in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Study used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys and binary response regression models to examine the effect of women's access to ICTs on maternal healthcare utilization in Ghana. Three variables on maternal healthcare utilization were employed: use of contraception, antenatal care and place of delivery. Findings – Results from the study show that the effect of the use of technology is both positive and significant. In particular, among the other ICTs (i.e. landline phone, listening to radio, watch television, color television in household, computer in household), the coefficients of mobile phone ownership tends to be consistently significant across all four reproductive health services. Therefore, ICTs have a good capacity to influence women's demand of health information. This needs to be taken into account when designing maternal health policies and interventions. Originality/value – This is one of the few papers examining the effect of ICTs on utilization of maternal health services from the demand side compared to the popular supply side argument often found in the literature.

scholarly journals Determinants of newborn care utilization in Pakistan: Findings from the Demographic and Health Surveys

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1061
Author(s):  
Sathirakorn Pongpanich ◽  
Abdul Ghaffar ◽  
Najma Ghaffar ◽  
Hafiz Abdul Majid
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Postnatal Care ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Information on determinants of postnatal care is essential for maternal health services, and this information is scarce in Pakistan. This study aimed to determine the factors of newborn postnatal care utilization from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys (PDHS) conducted from 2006–2018. Methods: We analyzed data from three rounds of cross-sectional, nationally representative PDHS 2006–07, 2012–13, and 2017–18. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to explore factors associated with utilization of newborn postnatal care within two months. Results: This study included 5724 women from the 2006–07 PDHS, 7461 from the 2012–13 survey, and 8287 from the 2017–18 survey. The proportion of women receiving newborn postnatal care within the first two months of delivery increased from 13% in 2006–07 to 43% in 2012–13 but dropped to 27% in 2017–18. Respondent’s occupation and prenatal care utilization of maternal health services were common factors that significantly influenced newborn postnatal care utilization within two months. The utilization of postnatal care was greater among women having educated husbands and where the first child was a male in PDHS 2007 round. Higher wealth index and educated respondent had higher postnatal care utilization odds in DHS 2012 and DHS 2018. However, the odds of using postnatal care decreased with the number of household members and total number of children ever born in DHS 2012 and 2018 rounds. Conclusions: There was a general increase in the proportion of women who utilized postnatal care for their newborns during 2006–2013 but a decrease in 2018. The decreased utilization in 2018 warrants further investigation. Improving women’s economic status, education, employment, and antenatal care attendance and reducing parity may increase newborn postnatal care utilization.

scholarly journals Maternal education level and maternal healthcare utilization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: an analysis of the multiple indicator cluster survey 2017/18

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanyu Wang ◽  
Eric Frasco ◽  
Rie Takesue ◽  
Kun Tang
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Postnatal Care ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Cesarean Sections ◽  
Maternal Healthcare

Abstract Background Understanding how socioeconomic factors influence maternal health services utilization is crucial to reducing preventable maternal deaths in the DRC. Maternal education is considered an important associate of maternal health service utilization. This study aims to investigate the association between maternal education and the utilization of maternal health services, as well as present geographical and socio-economic disparities in the utilization. Methods The MICS survey was employed as the data source, which is a nationally representative survey conducted from 2017 to 2018 in the DRC. The exposure for this study was the maternal education level, which was categorized into three groups: (1) below primary and none, (2) primary and (3) secondary and above. Prenatal care indicators included: if the mother ever received prenatal care, if the mother had antenatal checks no less than four times, and if a skilled attendant was present at birth. Postnatal care indicators included: if the mother received postnatal care and if the baby was checked after birth. Emergency obstetric interventions were indicted by cesarean sections. Descriptive analyses and logistic regressions were used as analytical methods. Results Of all 8,560 participants included, 21.88 % had below primary school or no education, 39.81 % had primary school education, and 38.31 % had secondary education or above. The majority of participants were from rural areas, except for Kinshasa. Overall, a better education was associated with higher utilization of antenatal care. A dose-response effect was also observed. Compared to women with below primary or no education, women with secondary and above education were more likely to receive cesarean sections. Wealth status, as well as rural and urban division, modified the associations. Conclusions Mothers’ education level is an important associate for utilizing appropriate maternal healthcare, with wealth and region as modifying factors. Educational levels should be considered when designing public health interventions and women’s empowerment programs in the DRC. For example, relevant programs need to stratify the interventions according to educational attainment.

scholarly journals Utilization of maternal health services in rural Thawang, Rolpa district of Nepal: a community-based cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jahirul Hushen ◽  
Arpaporn Powwattana ◽  
Chockchai Munsawaengsub ◽  
Sukhontha Siri
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis study aimed to identify the proportion and factors influencing the use of maternal health services (MHS) in rural Thawang, Rolpa, Nepal.Design/methodology/approachThis was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 417 mothers who had given birth in the previous two years. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify associations and predictors.FindingsThe results showed that the use of maternal health services was 50.8%. Adjusting for all other factors in the final model, age group 25–30 years (AOR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.199–4.422), spouse communication (AOR: 7.31; 95% CI: 2.574–20.791), high accessibility (AOR: 2.552, 95% CI: 1.402–4.643) and high affordability (AOR: 10.89; 95% CI: 4.66–25.445) were significant predictors.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a community-based cross-sectional study, and hence cannot establish causal relationships. The research was conducted in a limited rural area mid-Western Nepal, and this may limit the generalization of results to other settings of the country.Practical implicationsThis research supports to local level government and district health authority to develop and implement need based action to increase maternal health service in the local context.Originality/valueUnderutilization of maternal health services is the result of socioeconomic dynamics, poor access to health services and other physical developments. To increase utilization of maternal health services in rural areas, there is a need to tackle the root cause of health inequality such as reducing poverty, increasing female education, involving women in employment and increasing access to health as a priority development agenda by government authorities. This research supports local level government and district health authorities to develop and implement needs-based action to increase MHS in the local context.

scholarly journals Inequalities in access to birth by caesarean section in the context of user fee exemption for maternal health services in southwest and north central Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Idowu Ajayi
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Fee Exemption ◽  
User Fee

Abstract Background User fee exemption for maternal healthcare services was introduced with a focus on providing free maternal health services, including caesarean sections (CS), in Nigeria. This policy has had a positive impact on access to facility-based delivery; however, the extent to which inequality in access to CS exists in the context of user fee exemption is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine inequalities in access to birth by CS 5 y after the implementation of the user fee exemption policy. Methods Data were obtained from 1227 women who gave birth between 2011 and 2015 and were selected using cluster random sampling between May and August 2016 from two of the six main regions of the country. Adjusted and unadjusted binary logistic regression models were performed. Results An overall CS rate of 6.1% was found, but varied by income, education and place of residence. Women who earned a monthly income of ≤20 000 naira (US$150) were 50% less likely to have a birth by CS compared with those who earned more. Compared with women who were educated to the tertiary level, women who had a secondary education or less were 51% less likely to give birth by CS. Conclusions This study shows that inequality in access to CS persists despite the implementation of free maternal healthcare services.

scholarly journals Predictors of the Timing and Number of Antenatal Care Visits among Unmarried Compared To Married Youth in Uganda Between 1995 And 2011

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peninah Agaba ◽  
Cyprian Misinde
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
Early Use ◽  
Late Start

Abstract Introduction Inadequate use of maternal health services among the youth remains a serious health challenge in Uganda. The low use of maternal health services among youth partly explains the persistence high maternal mortality rate in the country. Yet, improved use of maternal health services by the youth would help reduce maternal deaths in the country. Therefore, this study examines predisposing and enabling factors associated with the timing and the number of antenatal care visits among unmarried compared to married youth aged 15-24 years between 1995 and 2011 in Uganda. Methodology Two-level binary logistic and linear regression models with district as a second level of analysis were conducted on pooled data of the 1995, 2000/01, 2006 and 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys. This analysis was among 581 unmarried, compared to 5,437 married youth, aged 15-24 years. Results Only 16% of unmarried youth and 18% of married youth had ANC in the first trimester. Education was the only factor that was significantly associated with early use of antenatal care among unmarried youth. Whereas high education was associated with higher odds of using antenatal care in the first trimester among married youth (OR=1.30, 95%CI=1.08-1.57), it was associated with late start among unmarried youth (OR=0.56, 95%CI=0.31-0.98). Higher parity, protestant membership and residence in eastern region were associated with late start of antenatal care, while access to radio and television, and education level of the husband were associated with higher odds of early use of antenatal care among married youth. Overall, married youth were more likely to have more frequent antenatal care visits than unmarried youth. Among both groups, higher educational attainment and greater access to radio were associated with frequent antenatal care use. Residing in western region was associated with fewer antenatal care visits among both married and unmarried youth. Access to newspaper was associated with more antenatal care visits among married youth only. Conclusion This study presents the individual level predisposing and enabling factors that are important predictors of the use of antenatal health care services among youth that will guide policy to reduce maternal deaths among youth in Uganda.

Non-citizens and maternal mortality in Botswana: a rights perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 220-230
Author(s):  
Keitshokile Dintle Mogobe ◽  
Sunanda Ray ◽  
Farai Madzimbamuto ◽  
Mpho Motana ◽  
Doreen Ramogola-Masire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
Case Record ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Obstetric Emergencies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify organisational, technical and individual factors leading to maternal deaths in non-citizen women in Botswana. Design/methodology/approach – A sub-analysis was conducted comparing non-citizen women to citizens in a case record review of maternal deaths in 2010. Feedback on the results to health professionals was provided and their comments were noted. Findings – In total, 19.6 per cent of 56 case notes reviewed to establish contributory factors to maternal deaths were in non-citizens. This is lower than health professionals perceptions that most maternal deaths are in non-citizens. Non-citizens were significantly less likely to have been tested for HIV and less likely to have received antenatal care, so did not receive interventions to prevent transmission of HIV to their infants or anti-retroviral therapy. They were more likely than citizens to have miscarried or delivered before 28 weeks gestational age at death. Delays in seeking health care were a major contributory factor to death. Research limitations/implications – Incomplete record keeping and missing details, with 30 per cent of the notes of maternal deaths missing, a common problem with retrospective case-note studies. Practical implications – Botswana is unlikely to meet Millennium Development Goal five target to reduce the maternal mortality ratio by 75 per cent. To make progress non-citizens must be given the same rights to access maternal health services as citizens. Rationing healthcare for non-citizens is a false economy since treatment of subsequent obstetric emergencies in this group is expensive. Originality/value – Discrimination against non-citizen women in Botswana, by denying them free access to maternal health services, extends into loss of life because of delays in seeking healthcare especially for obstetric emergencies.

scholarly journals Intimate partner violence and utilization of reproductive and maternal health services in Cambodia

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-111
Author(s):  
Vanthy Mai ◽  
Win Ei Phyu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Significant Finding ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore an association between women experience lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) and women decision making with utilization of reproductive and maternal health services in Cambodia. Design/methodology/approach An analysis of secondary data of Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) 2014. The total number of sample size was 1,539 married women who had birth in the last five years prior to the time of interview and completed the domestic violence module in the CDHS 2014 questionnaire. χ² test and binary logistic regression were performed in this study. Findings Results give an evidence that emotional violence had significant impact on receiving sufficient antenatal care (ANC) (OR: 0.7, 95%CI: 0.43–0.86) while physical violence had significant association with deliver with skilled birth attendance (SBA) (OR: 0.5, 95%CI: 0.27–0.79). Further, women’s participation in household decision making played as important factor in enabling women revive sufficient ANC (OR: 1.7, 95%CI: 1.19–2.29), and utilization of modern contraceptive method (OR: 1.5, 95%CI: 1.09–1.97). Originality/value This study provides significant finding on the impact of IPV and women’s decision making on reproductive and maternal health in Cambodia. Result has drawn an attention to policy makers, related ministries and stakeholder to promulgate and effectiveness of policies and program implementation within the country.

Increasing access to rural maternal health services in Zambia through demand-side interventions

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Green ◽  
Miniratu Soyoola ◽  
Mary Surridge ◽  
Abdul Razak Badru ◽  
Dynes Kaluba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Demand Side
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