Health Care Women Int. 2026 Aug 24:1-27. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2026.2715599. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Maternal mortality remains a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Utilizing maternal healthcare services (MHS)-such as antenatal care (ANC), skilled birth attendance (SBA), institutional delivery (ID), and postnatal care (PNC) is vital for reducing maternal mortality. Using data from 33 LMICs, the authors found that the average MHS utilization rates were 58.9% for ANC, 70.0% for SBA, 66.9% for ID, and 53.8% for PNC, with considerable variation across countries. Using logistic regression analysis, we found that factors like rural residence, lower education, and higher parity were associated with reduced MHS access. Tailored interventions may help achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for maternal health by 2030.
PMID:42636430 | DOI:10.1080/07399332.2026.2715599
