Use of maternal healthcare services in 10 provinces of rural western China

ObjectiveTo explore maternal healthcare utilization in rural western China, and to analyze the socioeconomic and demographic determinants associated with use of maternal health services.MethodsBetween July and August 2005, 14 112 women from 45 counties in 10 western provinces of China were enrolled in a cross-sectional study by a multi-stage probability sampling method. The women completed a structured questionnaire, and a 2-level logistic regression model was used to examine the data.ResultsThe proportion of women who had prenatal care was 95%. The average number of prenatal visits was 4.94. The proportion of women who had more than 4 prenatal visits was 52.9%, and 66.9% of these had their first prenatal visit within 12 weeks of gestation. The hospital delivery rate was 86.3%. The frequency of postnatal visits was 84.8%, and the average number of postnatal visits was 2.19. Han ethnicity, higher education, lower parity, higher wealth index, and lower altitude of county had a higher odds ratio for more than 4 prenatal visits, hospital delivery, and postnatal visits.ConclusionMaternal healthcare utilization seems to be associated with socio-economic and regional factors. The Chinese government should focus on the supply, funding, and quality of maternity services in rural areas.