scholarly journals Magnitude and trends in socio-economic and geographic inequality in access to birth by cesarean section in Tanzania: evidence from five rounds of Tanzania demographic and health surveys (1996–2015)

2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gebretsadik Shibre ◽  
Betregiorgis Zegeye ◽  
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽  
Mpho Keetile ◽  
Sanni Yaya

Abstract Background Majority of maternal deaths are avoidable through quality obstetric care such as Cesarean Section (CS). However, in low-and middle-income countries, many women are still dying due to lack of obstetric services. Tanzania is one of the African countries where maternal mortality is high. However, there is paucity of evidence related to the magnitude and trends of disparities in CS utilization in the country. This study examined both the magnitude and trends in socio-economic and geographic inequalities in access to birth by CS. Methods Data were extracted from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHSs) (1996–2015) and analyzed using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) software. First, access to birth by CS was disaggregated by four equity stratifiers: wealth index, education, residence and region. Second, we measured the inequality through summary measures, namely Difference (D), Ratio (R), Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII). A 95% confidence interval was constructed for point estimates to measure statistical significance. Results The results showed variations in access to birth by CS across socioeconomic, urban-rural and regional subgroups in Tanzania from 1996 to 2015. Among the poorest subgroups, there was a 1.38 percentage points increase in CS coverage between 1996 and 2015 whereas approximately 11 percentage points increase was found among the richest subgroups within same period of time. The coverage of CS increased by nearly 1 percentage point, 3 percentage points and 9 percentage points among non-educated, those who had primary education and secondary or higher education, respectively over the last 19 years. The increase in coverage among rural residents was 2 percentage points and nearly 8 percentage points among urban residents over the last 19 years. Substantial disparity in CS coverage was recorded in all the studied surveys. For instance, in the most recent survey, pro-rich (RII = 15.55, 95% UI; 10.44, 20.66, SII = 15.8, 95% UI; 13.70, 17.91), pro-educated (RII = 13.71, 95% UI; 9.04, 18.38, SII = 16.04, 95% UI; 13.58, 18.49), pro-urban (R = 3.18, 95% UI; 2.36, 3.99), and subnational (D = 16.25, 95% UI; 10.02, 22.48) absolute and relative inequalities were observed. Conclusion The findings showed that over the last 19 years, women who were uneducated, poorest/poor, living in rural settings and from regions such as Zanzibar South, appeared to utilize CS services less in Tanzania. Therefore, such subpopulations need to be the central focus of policies and programmes implemmentation to improve CS services coverage and enhance equity-based CS services utilization.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Betregiorgis Zegeye ◽  
Gebretsadik Shibre ◽  
Gashaw Garedew Woldeamanuel

Abstract Background The growing rates of obesity in developing countries are alarming. There is a paucity of evidence about disparities of obesity in Lesotho. This study examined socioeconomic and area-based inequalities in obesity among non-pregnant women in Lesotho. Methods Data were extracted from the 2004, 2009 and 2014 Lesotho Demographic and Health Surveys (LDHS) and analyzed through the recently updated Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) of the World Health Organization. Obesity prevalence was disaggregated by four equity stratifiers, namely education, wealth, residence and sub-national region. For each equity stratifier, simple and complex as well as relative and absolute summary measures were calculated. A 95% confidence interval was used to measure statistical significance of findings. Results We noticed substantial wealth-driven (D = -21.10, 95% CI; − 25.94, − 16.26), subnational region (PAR = -11.82, 95%CI; − 16.09, − 7.55) and urban-rural (− 9.82, 95% CI; − 13.65, − 5.99) inequalities in obesity prevalence without the inequalities improved over time in all the studied years. However, we did not identify educational inequality in obesity. Conclusions Wealth-driven and geographical inequalities was identified in Lesotho in all the studied time periods while education related inequalities did not appear during the same time period. All population groups in the country need to be reached with interventions to reduce the burden of obesity in the country.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e029712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandrashekhar T Sreeramareddy ◽  
Sam Harper

ObjectiveTo measure trends in socioeconomic inequalities tobacco use in Nepal.SettingAdults interviewed during house-to-house surveys.ParticipantsWomen (15–45 years) and men (15–49 years) surveyed in four Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys done in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016.Outcome measureCurrent tobacco use (in any form).ResultsThe prevalence of tobacco use for men declined from 66% in 2001 to 55% in 2016, and declined from 29% to 8.4% among women. Across both education and wealth quintiles for both men and women, the prevalence of tobacco use generally declines with increasing education or wealth. We found persistently larger absolute inequalities by education than by wealth among men. Among women we also found larger educational than wealth-related gradients, but both declined over time. For men, the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) for education was larger than for wealth (44% vs 26% in 2001) and changed very little over time. For women, the SII for both education and wealth were similar in magnitude to men, but decreased substantially between 2001 and 2016 (from 44% to 16% for education; from 37% to 16% for wealth). Women had a larger relative index of inequality than men for both education (6.5 vs 2.0 in 2001) and wealth (4.8 vs 1.5 in 2001), and relative inequality increased between 2001 and 2016 for women (from 6.5 to 16.0 for education; from 4.8 to 12.0 for wealth).ConclusionIncreasing relative inequalities indicates suboptimal reduction in tobacco use among the vulnerable groups suggesting that they should be targeted to improve tobacco control.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Temam Beshir Raru ◽  
Belay Negash ◽  
Biruk Shalmenu ◽  
Addisu Birhanu ◽  
Lemma Demissie ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: The use of antenatal care (ANC) plays a major role in minimizing maternal and child mortality through effective and appropriate screening, preventive, or treatment intervention. Despite the fact that almost all of the pregnancy-related mortalities are largely preventable through adequate use of ANC, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) particularly East African Countries continues to share the largest share of global maternal, and newborn mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the overall magnitude and determinants of ANC utilization in the 11 East Africa Countries from 2010 to 2018 using recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS)Methods: A secondary data analysis was done based on DHS from 2010 to 2018 in the 11 East African Countries. A total weighted sample of 89,991 women who gave birth in the 5 years preceding each country’s DHS survey were included in this study. Data processing and analysis were performed using STATA 15 software. Multilevel mixed effect logistic regression model was fitted. Model comparison was done based on Akaike and Bayesian Information Criteria (AIC and BIC). Variables with a p-value≤0.05 were declared as significant determinants of ANC utilization.Results: The magnitude of ANC utilization in East African Countries was 53.03% (95% CI: 52.70, 53.35) with the highest ANC utilization in Kenya (57.64%) and the lowest ANC utilization in Comoros (48.99%). In the multivariable multilevel logistic regression model; age 20-24 (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.25; 95% CI; 1.17-1.34), 25-29 AOR = 1.47; 95% CI; 1.37-1.58), 30-34 (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI; 1.47-1.71), 35-39 (AOR = 1.63; 95% CI; 1.50-1.77), 40-44 (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI; 1.49-1.81), 45-49 (AOR = 1.71; 95% CI; 1.51-1.93), primary education (AOR = 1.24; 95% CI; 1.18-1.31), richest wealth index (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI; 1.47-1.67), being in rural resident (AOR = 0.93; 95% CI; 0.88,0.98), have media exposure (AOR = 1.11; 95% CI; 1.07-1.15), and being a Zimbabwe resident (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI; 2.55-3.23) were among factors that are significantly associated with ANC utilization.Conclusion: ANC utilization was low in the East Africa countries. Age, women education, wealth index, birth order, residence, media exposure and living countries were major determinants of ANC utilization. It would be useful to increase financial support strategies that enables mothers from poor households to use health services will be advantageous. To increase women’s understanding of the significance of ANC utilization, health education targeting mothers with no education is very crucial.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collins Adu ◽  
Edward Kwabena Ameyaw ◽  
Pascal Agbadi ◽  
Ebenezer Agbaglo ◽  
Justice Kanor Tetteh ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundOver the years, Ghana has made significant improvements in the nutritional status of children, particularly concerning stunting. Though these improvements are commendable, there are concerns of inequalities in the prevalence of stunting among children under five. To this end, we examined the trends and inequalities in the determinants of stunting prevalence in children under five in Ghana, throughout 1998-2014.MethodsUsing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) software, we analysed data from the 1998-2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS). We approached the inequality analysis in two steps. First, we disaggregated stunting prevalence among children < 5 years by five equity stratifiers: wealth index, education, sex, residence, and region. Second, we measured the inequality through summary measures, namely Difference, Population Attributable Risk, Ratio, and Population Attributable Fraction. A 95% confidence interval was constructed for point estimates to measure statistical significance.ResultsConcerning economic status, only the simple summary measures (Difference [D], Ratio [R]) showed significant inequality in stunting. For instance, both D (23.40; 17.55-29.25) and R (2.43; 1.78-3.09) revealed substantial economic variation in stunting in 1998 and the same trend was noted across all the survey years. The complex summary measures, however, showed a significant but negative association. Both D (16.36; 12.13-20.60) and R (1.90; 1.51-2.28) revealed a positive significant disparity in favour of urban residents in 1998. The simple measures further indicated a significant disparity in stunting at the detriment of male children throughout the period studied. Finally, a significant disparity at the expense of children in the Northern Region was evident in 1998 (D=31.00; R=3.22), 2003 (D=37.21; R=3.17) and 2014 (D=22.73; R=3.19).ConclusionInequalities in stunting prevalence in Ghana is to the disadvantaged children of poorest wealth quintile, mothers with no formal education, male children, rural residents and the Northern Region of Ghana. We recommend the introduction and strengthening of equitable interventions focusing on nutrition on sub-populations in the country who suffer from a higher burden of stunting.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gebretsadik Shibre ◽  
Betregiorgis Zegeye ◽  
Dina Idriss-Wheeler ◽  
Sanni Yaya

Abstract Background Pneumonia is a leading public health problem in under-five children worldwide and particularly in Africa. Unfortunately, progress in reducing pneumonia related mortality has been slow. The number of children with symptoms of pneumonia taken to health facilities for treatment is low in Ethiopia, and disparities among sub-groups regarding health seeking behavior for pneumonia have not been well explored in the region. This study assessed the trends of inequalities in care seeking behavior for children under five years of age with suspected pneumonia in Ethiopia. Methods Using cross-sectional data from the 2005, 2011 and 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT), this study investigated the inequalities in health seeking behavior for children with suspected pneumonia. Four measures of inequality were calculated: Difference, Ratio, Slope Index of Inequality and Relative Index of Inequality. Results were disaggregated by wealth, education, residence, and sex with computed 95% Uncertainty Intervals for each point estimate to determine significance. Results The percentage of under-five children with symptoms of pneumonia who were taken to a health facility was significantly lower for children in the poorest families, 15.48% (95% UI; 9.77, 23.64) as compared to children in the richest families, 61.72% (95% UI; 45.06, 76.02) in 2011. Substantial absolute (SII = 35.61; 95% UI: 25.31, 45.92) and relative (RII = 4.04%; 95% UI: 2.25, 5.84) economic inequalities were also observed. Both educational and geographic inequalities were observed; (RII = 2.07; 95% UI: 1.08, 3.06) and (D = 28.26; 95% UI: 7.14, 49.37), respectively. Economic inequality decreased from 2011 to 2016. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female under-five children with pneumonia symptoms taken to health facility, in all the studied years. Conclusions Health care seeking behavior for children with pneumonia was lower among the poorest and non-educated families as well as children in rural regions. Policies and strategies need to target subpopulations lagging behind in seeking care for pneumonia treatment as it impedes achievement of key UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gebretsadik Shibre ◽  
Betregiorgis Zegeye ◽  
Gashaw Garedew Woldeamanuiel ◽  
Wassie Negash ◽  
Gorems Lemma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background While the prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, the growing rates of overweight and obesity in developing countries are disquieting. Obesity is widely recognized as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Available evidence on whether obesity has been more prevalent among higher or lower socioeconomic groups, across regions and urban-rural women’s are inconsistent. This study examined magnitude of and trends in socioeconomic, urban-rural and sub-national region inequalities in obesity prevalence among non-pregnant women in Chad. Method Using cross-sectional data from Chad Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) conducted in 1996, 2004 and 2014; we used the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) to analyze socio-economic, urban-rural and regional inequalities in obesity prevalence among non-pregnant women aged 15–49 years. Inequalities were assessed using four equity stratifiers namely wealth index, educational level, place of residence and subnational region. We presented inequalities using simple and complex as well as relative and absolute summary measures such as Difference (D), Population Attributable Risk (PAR), Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) and Ratio (R). Results Though constant pattern overtime, both wealth-driven and place of residence inequality were observed in all three surveys by Difference measure and in the first and last surveys by Ratio measure. Similarly, including the recent survey (D = -2.80, 95% CI:-4.15, − 1.45, R = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.50) absolute (in 1996 & 2014 survey) and relative (in all three surveys) educational status inequality with constant pattern were observed. Substantial absolute (PAR = -2.2, 95% CI: − 3.21, − 1.34) and relative (PAF = − 91.9, 95% CI: − 129.58, − 54.29) regional inequality was observed with increasing and constant pattern by simple (D) and complex (PAR, PAF) measures. Conclusion The study showed socioeconomic and area-based obesity inequalities that disfavored women in higher socioeconomic status and residing in urban areas. Prevention of obesity prevalence should be government and stakeholders’ priority through organizing the evidence, health promotion and prevention interventions for at risk population and general population.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Acharya ◽  
Yuba Raj Paudel ◽  
Dinesh Dharel

Abstract Background Despite policy intention to reach disadvantaged populations, inequalities in child health care use and health outcomes persist in Nepal. The current study aimed to investigate the trend of full vaccination coverage among infants and its equity gaps between Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) 2001 and 2016.Methods Using data from NDHS conducted in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016, we investigated the trend of coverage of six antigens:Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG), Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (DPT), Polio, and Measles during their infancy among children aged 12-23 months. We presented trends and correlates of vaccination coverage by different socio-demographic factors. We measured inequalities in full vaccination coverage by wealth quintile and maternal education using absolute measure (slope index of inequality) and relative measures (Relative index of inequality, concentration index) of inequalities.Results Full immunization coverage among infants steadily increased from 65.6% in 2001 to 87.0% in 2011; however, it decreased to 77.8% in 2016. Province 2 had a significantly lower full vaccination coverage compared to Province1.Although decreasing over time, there were significant inequalities by household wealth quintiles and maternal educational status. The slope index of inequality (SII) for wealth quintiles decreased from -32.3 [-45.5,-19.1] in 2001 to an SII of-8.4 [-18.6,-1.7] in 2016. Similarly, the SII for education decreased from -61.8 [-73.5,-50.1] in 2001 to an SII of -30.5 [-40.7,-20.2] in 2016. Similarly, the relative index of inequality (RII) also showed an improvement over time, indicating the narrowing equity gap. Additionally, concentration index on full immunization coverage by wealth quintiles dropped from 0.21 (0.12-0.28) in 2001 to 0.054 (-0.01-0.12) in 2016. Absolute and relative inequalities were persistently larger by maternal educational status compared to household wealth quintiles throughout the study period.Conclusion Full vaccination coverage in Nepal increased from 2001 until 2011 but saw a significant decrement away from the national target after 2011. However, the equity gap by household wealth quintile and maternal education status has narrowed over time. National Immunization programs need to give higher emphasis to infants born to mothers with less education, those born in the poorer wealth quintile households, and those living in Province 2.


2019 ◽  
pp. 79-90
Author(s):  
Roy Carr-Hill

It is important to be cautious about making inferences from survey data. This chapter focuses on one very important but unexamined problem, that of the undercount of the poorest in the world. This arises both by design (excluding the homeless, those in institutions and nomadic populations) and in practice (those in fragile households, urban slums, insecure areas and servants/slaves in rich households). In developing countries, it is difficult to make inter-censal estimates because essential data like birth and death registration are not systematically collected. Donors have therefore promoted the use of international standardized household surveys. A possible alternative is Citizen surveys initiated by an Indian NGO (Pratham). Comparisons are made between citizen surveys and contemporaneous Demographic and Health Surveys in three East African countries


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kharen Carlotto ◽  
Luana Patrícia Marmitt ◽  
Juraci Almeida Cesar

OBJECTIVE: to measure prevalence, evaluate trends and identify socioeconomic differences of on-demand cesarean section in the municipality of Rio Grande (RS), extreme south of Brazil, in 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016. METHODS: all the puerperae residing in this municipality who had cesarean deliveries in one of the only two local maternity hospitals in the period 01/01-31/12 of the aforementioned years were part of this transversal study. Puerperae were interviewed using a single, standardized questionnaire at the hospital within 48 hours after delivery. The outcome was assessed based on the mothers’ report that the cesarean section was performed according to their request. The analysis consisted of the observation of the outcome’s frequency in each year and the evaluation of its prevalence throughout this period through the chi-square linear trend test. Socioeconomic inequalities were assessed based on household income and women’s schooling using the Slope Index of Inequality and the Relative Index of Inequality. RESULTS: In these four years, 5,721 cesarean deliveries were recorded among mothers living in this municipality (1,309 in 2007, 1,341 in 2010, 1,626 in 2013 and 1,445 in 2016). In this period, the rate of on-demand cesarean sections increased by 107%, from 10.5% (95%CI: 8.9% -12.2%) of the deliveries in 2007 to 21.7% (95%CI: 19.5% -23.8%) in 2016. This increase was more evident among those with lower household income and schooling level. Absolute inequality also increased, especially regarding schooling, while relative inequality sharply declined when assessed by household income. CONCLUSIONS: The increased on-demand cesarean sections in the study location is unsettling, despite the decreasing gap between extreme categories as a consequence of higher levels of this procedure among women of lower income and worse schooling.


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