Socio-economic and cultural factors associated with the utilization of maternal healthcare services in Togo: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Proper utilization of maternal healthcare services plays a major role on pregnancy and birth outcomes. In sub-Saharan Africa, maternal and child mortality remains a major public health concern, especially in least developed countries such as Togo. In this study, we aimed to analyze factors associated with use of maternal health services among Togolese women aged 15–49 years.

Methods

This study used data from third round of nationally representative Demographic and Health Survey conducted in Togo in 2013. Analysis included 4,631 women aged 15–49 years. Outcome variables were timely first antenatal care (ANC) visits, adequate ANC4 + visits, and health facility delivery. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16.

Results

Overall, proportion of maternal healthcare utilization was 27.53% for timely first ANC visits, 59.99% for adequate ANC visits, and 75.66% for health facility delivery. Our multivariable analysis showed significant differences among women in highest wealth quintile, especially in rural areas with increasing odds of timely first ANC visits (Odds ratio (OR) = 3.46, 95% CI = 2.32,5.16), attending adequate ANC visits (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.48,3.24), and delivering in health facilities (OR = 8.53, 95% CI = 4.06, 17.92) compared to those in the poorest quintile. Also, women with higher education had increased odds of timely first ANC visits (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.11,1.69), and attending adequate ANC visits (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.42,2.12) compared to those with no formal education. However, having higher parity and indigenous beliefs especially in rural areas decreased odds of using healthcare services.

Conclusions

Findings from this study showed that socio-economic inequality and socio-cultural barriers influenced the use of maternal healthcare services in Togo. There is therefore a need to improve accessibility and the utilization of maternal healthcare services through women’s economic empowerment and education to reduce the barriers.

Plain language summary

Utilization of healthcare services by women of childbearing age has been shown to reduce maternal and child mortality. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, maternal and child mortality remains a major public health issue. This is especially the case in Togo, one of the smallest countries in West Africa. The objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with utilization of maternal healthcare services among Togolese women aged 15–49 years. This was a cross-sectional study that used data from the Togo 2013 Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative household survey of women of childbearing age in Togo. Findings from the current study showed that the overall proportion of maternal healthcare utilization was 27.53% for timely first antenatal care visits, 59.99% for adequate antenatal care visits, and 75.66% for health facility delivery. Also, this study found that socio-economic inequality and socio-cultural barriers influenced the use of maternal healthcare services in Togo. For instance, women in the highest wealth quintile, those with higher education, and those who were covered by health insurance had higher odds of utilizing maternal healthcare service. Whereas, women who had indigenous beliefs, those from other ethnicities, who lived in the Savanes and Plateaux regions, as well as those with higher parity had lower odds of using maternal healthcare services. The results indicate that there is an urgent need to promote women’s economic empowerment and education to improve accessibility and the utilization of maternal healthcare services.