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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Measuring and decomposing the inequality of maternal health services utilization in Western Rural China

Authors: Xiaoning Liu, Wenlong Gao, Hong Yan

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

To measure socioeconomic inequalities in maternal health services in rural western China and to analyze the determinants’ contributions of inequalities.
Study design: a cross-sectional study.

Methods

The data utilized in this study were obtained from a cross-sectional study from 10 provinces in rural Western China in 2005. Wealth index of household socioeconomic status was developed by using principle component analysis. Concentration index, concentration curve and decomposition of the concentration index were employed to measure socioeconomic inequality in maternal health services utilization.

Results

For more than four times prenatal visits, the concentration index was 0.0605 (95% CI: 0.0603, 0.0607). The concentration index of hospital delivery was 0.0230 (95% CI: 0.0210, 0.0240) and the concentration index of more than 2 times postnatal visits was 0.0842 (95% CI: 0.0836, 0.0847). Han ethnicity woman, particularly in conjunction with high school education and rich wealth status, was the main contributor to inequality in maternal health services utilization.

Conclusions

There is a strong pro-rich inequality of maternal health services in rural western China. This study suggests that an effective way to reduce the inequality is not only to narrow the gap of income between the rich and poor, but focus education on ethnic minority woman in rural remote areas.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Measuring and decomposing the inequality of maternal health services utilization in Western Rural China
Authors
Xiaoning Liu
Wenlong Gao
Hong Yan
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-14-102

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