The relationship between spatial access and modern contraceptive use: is proximity to a healthcare facility a determinant of use among women in Kinshasa, DRC?

Background: Spatial access has a direct effect on health service utilization in many settings. Distance to facility proven affect family planning (FP) use Sub-Saharan countries. Studies show that women who reside closer facilities offering services are more likely modern contraceptives. However, researchers often test the theory of distance decay. This study analyzed significance proximity services, availability, and quality contraceptive Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Congo. Methods: We used pool four rounds facility- population-based survey data Kinshasa from PMA2020 between 2014 2016. We GPS coordinates calculate households. tested if live delivery points with higher level availability contraceptives or less have unmet need for services. Results: 10,968 were interviewed over collection. Our findings living an SDP is not determinant having FP services. Lack cognitive access, economic barriers, bypassing closest facility, sociocultural norms strong barriers Proximity did necessarily result increased among reproductive age thus suggesting bypass phenomenon may occur when obtaining services. Conclusions: notes other than be substantial determinants need. More research should conducted directly measures multidimensional components order interpret women’s seeking behaviors urban areas Africa.