Abstract
Objectives This study is aimed at investigating the time trends and disparities in access to maternal healthcare in Pakistan using Bayesian models. Study Design. A longitudinal study from 2006 to 2018. Methods The detailed analysis is based on the data from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) conducted during 2006-2018. We have proposed Bayesian logistic regression models (BLRM) to investigate the trends of maternal healthcare in the country. Based on different goodness-of-fit criteria, the performance of proposed models has also been compared with repeatedly used classical logistic regression models (CLRM). Results The results from the analysis suggested that BLRM perform better than CLRM. The access to antenatal healthcare increased from 61% to 86% during years 2006-18. The utilization of medication also improved from 44% in 2006 to 60% in 2018. Despite the improvements from 2006 to 2018, every three out of ten women were not protected against neonatal tetanus, neither delivered in the health facility place nor availed with the skilled health provider at the time of delivery during 2018. Similarly, two-fifth mothers did not received any skilled postnatal checkup within two days after delivery. Additionally, the likelihood of MHS provided to mothers is in favor of mothers with lower ages, lower birth orders, urban residences, higher education, higher wealth quintiles, and residents of Sindh and Punjab. Conclusions The gaps in utilization of MHS in different socioeconomic groups of the society have not decreased significantly during 2006-2018. Any future maternal health initiative in the country should focus to reduce the observed disparities among different socioeconomic sectors of the society.
Highlights
According to the report of the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 800 maternal deaths are witnessed daily [1]
Keeping in view the importance of the issue, number of researchers has conducted the studies to investigate the important determinant of MHS in the country and to identify the inequalities in delivery of MHS among various socioeconomic sectors of the society
We have proposed Bayesian logistic regression models (BLRM) to explore the trends of inequalities regarding utilization of MHS among different socioeconomic groups of the society
Summary
According to the report of the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 800 maternal deaths are witnessed daily [1]. Being signatory of the SDGs 2015-30, Pakistan has taken some initiatives, such as installation of National Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health program, to foster the delivery of maternal healthcare in the country. The utilization of antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) has been found to be the most important in reducing the maternal mortalities [3, 4]. Utilization of these services in Pakistan is quite low [5]. The continuous analysis of trends for utilization of maternal healthcare services, using nationally representative data, is necessary to plan and implement the strategies for better delivery of these services
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
