The effects of geographical accessibility to health facilities on antenatal care and delivery services utilization in Benin: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Plain language summary Maternal and neonatal mortality rates are still high in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Antenatal care (ANC) visits and institutional delivery with skilled birth attendants are important to prevent maternal and neonatal deaths. Nevertheless, women’s utilization of ANC and delivery services has decreased recently in Benin, a country where the southern and northern parts belong to different geographical zones. Geographical accessibility from residence to health facilities is considered a major obstacle hampering the use of appropriate maternal healthcare. This study assessed the effect of geographical accessibility on ANC and delivery services utilization in Benin by considering the geographical characteristics. We used the two rounds of the Benin Demographic and Health Survey 2011/2012 and 2017/2018 and conducted regression analysis. This study has three important findings: (1) We confirmed adverse effects of distance and travel time on the likelihood of a women receiving appropriate ANC and delivery services in Benin, but this effect was mainly observed in the northern part; (2) Distance and travel time to health facilities had a negative effect on the use of at least one ANC but no significant effect for four or more ANC; (3) Regarding the threshold of distance, we confirmed that women living within 5 km from the closest health center were more likely to use maternal healthcare compared to their counterparts. In conclusion, geographical accessibility to health facilities is critically important for the utilization of antenatal care and delivery services, particularly in the northern part of Benin.

Keywords

• Geographical accessibility
• Distance
• Travel time
• Altitude
• Antenatal care
• Delivery services