Decomposing sociodemographic and economic factors associated with utilization of prenatal health care services in Malawi

Kennedy Machira, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus
Martin E. Palamuleni, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus

Socio demographic and economic factors have been linked to health care utilization among women in both developing and developed countries of the world. This consequently result in slow progress in improved maternal health outcome in sub Saharan Africa and Malawi in particular having maternal mortality equivalence as high as 510 deaths per 100 000 live births. This study investigates the relative contributions that sociodemographic and economic factors associated with prenatal care utilization. A multi-level decomposition approach was used to hypothesize the relationship between explanatory and outcome variable for 2000, 2004 and 2010 of Malawi Demographic and Health Survey. Women’s maternal ages (15-24) and higher frequency birth orders are consistent predictors of prenatal care utilization in Malawi. Additionally, quality of delivered health care was a more pronounced household predictor of healthcare utilization. Therefore, the need to strengthen existing reproductive health infrastructures, if improved modern health services is to improve in Malawi.