EVALUATION OF DIFFERENCES IN MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH COVERAGE ACROSS URBAN AND RURAL AREAS

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine whether the variables that reveal the maternal and newborn health coverage of countries differ in rural and urban areas. Understanding the coverage of maternal and newborn health across rural and urban populations is important for assessing the health needs of populations and addressing health disparities. Methods: The data of the study were obtained from the "Maternal and Newborn Health Coverage Database 2022" published by UNICEF. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, United States). Results: As a result of the research, it was found that all variables of antenatal care, c-section rate, percentage of deliveries in a health facility, percentage of deliveries attended by skilled health personnel, and postnatal care for newborns and mothers differ statistically between rural and urban areas. Conclusion: This research reveals that women and newborns living in rural areas are disadvantaged compared to urban areas in antenatal, delivery and postnatal cares. It is recommended to make interventions for health workforce retention in rural, take steps to reduce socio-economic inequalities in rural areas, to set minimum targets for access to antenatal and postnatal care, subsidize maternity services in hospitals, and to develop a referral system among health institutions in rural areas.