Abstract
ObjectiveThis study examined the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and maternal health use from a policy perspective. It aimed to provide an overview of maternal health in Heilongjiang’s rural provinces and its implications on rural areas in countries with low and middle income gross domestic products.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study used data from the Fifth Health Service Survey of Heilongjiang Province. Participants included 481 mothers who delivered a baby after August 15, 2008. Trained investigators collected data on their family and sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal care, delivery at specialised obstetric institutions (e.g. hospitals, clinics, other medical institutions), and postnatal care services.ResultsThe number of women with more than five antenatal care visits and the delivery rate at specialised obstetric institutions were high. Approximately 50% of the participants had three or more postnatal care visits. Maternal healthcare use among women less than 20 years old and those with natural deliveries were higher. There were fewer antenatal care visits among women who had been pregnant once or twice before.ConclusionsDelivery rates at specialised obstetric institutions and the number of antenatal care visits were higher than the World Health Organization requirements, while the frequency of postnatal care visits were better than most countries. This study identified several demographic characteristics that influenced maternal health service use. Policymakers should consider these findings when developing maternal health policies that protect women’s interests and expand free services. Additional resources should be given to increase the postnatal care capacity and quality of maternal healthcare.
Highlights
The objective of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) report on maternal healthcare, [1] as stated in Target 5A of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, was to reduce maternal deaths by 75% between 1990 and 2015
Delivery rates at specialised obstetric institutions and the number of antenatal care visits were higher than the World Health Organization requirements, while the frequency of postnatal care visits were better than most countries
We examined different demographic characteristics which includes the proportion of people using maternal health services, the number of antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) visits, delivery at specialised obstetric institutions, and health insurance status so that pregnant women could receive compensation for medical services
Summary
The objective of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) report on maternal healthcare, [1] as stated in Target 5A of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, was to reduce maternal deaths by 75% between 1990 and 2015. Some studies indicated that increasing maternal healthcare use can efficiently reduce these pregnancy-related deaths [4,5,6]. Factors such as antenatal care (ANC), delivery at a specialised obstetric institutions (e.g., hospitals, clinics, and other medical institutions), and postnatal care (PNC) services serve as key health interventions that reduce maternal and new-born morbidity and mortality [7]
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