Decomposing the Socioeconomic Inequality in Delivery Care in Egypt

Abstract

Health care effectiveness has numerous indicators to measure, but women death during pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum period is one of the most important measures in any country. Access to skilled attendance during childbirth will contribute to reduce in maternal mortality. Disparities are existing inside and among countries in use of reproductive health services. This paper aims to measure the level of inequalities in use of delivery health services and to clarify the determinants of inequalities in Egypt. The data utilized were obtained from the survey of demographic and health in Egypt. The outcome variables of maternal health care were skilled assistance during childbirth and delivery at a health facility. The findings revealed that utilization of delivery health care was concentrated among rich and educated mothers. In general, the variable economic status was seen as the most significant factor sharing in the inequality in use of delivery services in Egypt, alongside women's education.