Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of delivery care services in Bangladesh: a comparative study between 2004 and 2007

The study explores inequalities in the utilization of delivery care services in different administrative divisions in Bangladesh, by key socioeconomic factors. It estimates the extent of the relationship between women’s socioeconomic inequalities and their place of delivery during 2004 and 2007. Trends in relation to place of delivery in relation to residency and education over a period of thirteen years (1993-2007) have also been measured. The study analyzed the trends and patterns in utilization of institutional delivery care among mothers, using data from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (BDHS) conducted during 1993-2007. The data was disaggregated by area of residence in different divisions in Bangladesh. Bi-variate analyses, concentration curves and multivariate logistic regression were employed in the analysis of the data. The study indicated slow progress in the utilization of institutional delivery care among mothers in Bangladesh between 1993 and 2007. Large variations in outcome measures were observed among the different divisions. Multivariate analyses suggested growing inequalities in utilization of delivery care services between different economic groups and parents with different educational levels. The use of institutional delivery care remains substantially lower among poor and less educated rural mothers in Bangladesh, irrespective of age and employment. Further studies are recommended to explore the specific causes relating to the non-utilization of institutional delivery care.