Antenatal Care (ANC) Coverage, Health Infrastructure, and Postnatal Care (PNC) Services Utilization: A District Level Analysis of Punjab-Pakistan
Journal: IRASD Journal of Economics (Vol.3, No. 3)Publication Date: 2021-12-31
Authors : Seemab Gillani; Tusawar Iftikhar Ahmad; Feng Wang; Muhammad Nouman Shafiq;
Page : 318 – -318 –
Keywords : ;
Abstract
Awareness of receiving postnatal care is uncommon in Punjab (Pakistan) and supply-side is also unfortunate. Sufficient uptake of PNC may helpful in reducing maternal mortality. Thus, this study explored the demand and supply-side determinants of maternal health (utilization of PNC) care for 35 districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Percentage of women of reproductive ages using PNC services in the 35 districts of Punjab was the outcome variable. While, ANC utilization, adult literacy rate, household wealth, physical infrastructure had been considered as the explanatory variables. Secondary data were obtained from Punjab Development Statistics reports from the years 2010 to 2016. Pooled ordinary least square (OLS) and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) were applied as estimation techniques. It was found that the percentage of women of reproductive ages using ANC services (0.662, p < 0.01), the percentage of households receiving remittances from abroad (0.570, p < 0.01), the percentage of households having access to improved sanitation facilities (0.569, p < 0.01), the percentage of households having their own houses (0.530, p < 0.05), and district-based health infrastructure index (0.237, p < 0.05) had strong positive and significant impact on PNC utilization. The study concluded that district-based targets relating to PNC coverage could be achieved by intervening through ANC utilization behavior, household wealth (remittances receipts), and through the provision of infrastructure (healthcare, sanitation) to the residents of the district. Need to ensure the availability and accessibility of PNC in order to reduce the health disparities among the districts of Punjab.
Other Latest Articles
- Board Gender Diversity, Firm Performance and Risk-Taking: The Case of Non-Financial Firms of Pakistan
- The Philosophy of Electronic Word of Mouth and Consumer Buying Behavior in Modern Era
- Imprints of Lower Socioeconomic Class in English Speaking Anxieties and Academic Performance of Rural and Urban Students
- The Relationship between Financial Development and Foreign Direct Investment and its Impact on Economic Growth of Pakistan
- Impact of Shareholders’ Activism on Governance Practices and Firm Performance in Pakistan: A Response for Family Controlled Firms
Last modified: 2022-06-15 18:29:25