Influencing Factors of Maternal Health Service Utilization in Bangladesh: A Statistical Analysis of the BDHS Data 2014

Maternal Health Care is the combination of Antenatal Care (ANC), skilled delivery
attendance, and postnatal care. These health care facilities can significantly reduce
maternal mortality. The education of women influences antenatal care (ANC), skilled
delivery attendant as well as postnatal care for them in Bangladesh. Skilled delivery
attending throughout delivery has been known as a curative to the betterment of
maternal and newborn mortality, however, women from rural areas have it less
likely than the women from urban areas of Bangladesh. For the purpose of this
analysis, Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2014 data set has
been used. The findings that emerged from the study show a significant increase inadequate ANC visits among pregnant women with the increase in maternal education
level. This study showed that the higher educated mother is 3.76 times more
likely to receive ANC than the women illiterate. Besides, she is also 2.824 times more
likely to take skilled delivery and 1.874 times more likely to receive PNC than
illiterate women. Furthermore, the wealth index has influenced women for possessing
maternal health care during their pregnancy. The women who are from rich families
are likely to receive ANC together with skilled delivery and PNC respectively 2.30,
2.23 and 1.78 times more than the women from poor families. Despite proven
interventions that could prevent death or disability during pregnancy and childbirth,
maternal mortality remains a major burden in Bangladesh. Maternal mortality continues to
be a major challenge in Bangladesh and the maternal mortality disparity between
developing and developed countries are very high.

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