Maternal Healthcare Services Utilisation and Its Associated Risk Factors: A Pooled Study of 37 Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The utilisation of maternal healthcare services (MHS) can play an essential role in reducing maternal deaths. Thus, this study examines the prevalence and factors associated with MHS utilisation in 37 low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: A total of 264,123 women were obtained from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 37 LMICs. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with maternal healthcare services utilisation. Results: Around one-third (33.7%) of the respondents properly utilise MHS among women of childbearing age. In the pooled sample, the odds of MHS utilisation were significantly higher with the increase in wealth index, women's age, age at the first birth, and husband/partner's education. Urban residence (AOR [adjusted odds ratio] = 1.56; 95% CI [confidence interval] 1.49-1.64), women's autonomy in healthcare decision-making (AOR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.15-1.24) and media exposure (AOR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.58-1.83) were found to be the strongest positive factors associated with utilisation of MHS. In contrast, larger family (AOR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.91-0.96), and families with 7 or more children (AOR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.68-0.77) were significantly negatively associated with MHS utilisation. Conclusion: The utilisation of MHS highly varied in LMICs and the associated factors. Expanding the wealth status, education, age at first birth, mothers' autonomy in healthcare decisions, and media exposure could be essential strategies for increasing the utilisation of MHS; however, country-specific programs should be considered in national policy discussions. There is a need to formulate policies and design maternal health services programs that target socially marginalised women.