Association of Topography with Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors to the Compliance and Non-compliance of Mothers to Reproductive Health Services

Abstract

Background and Objective: In order to alleviate the reproductive health status of mothers in the Philippines, there should be a better understanding of the factors influencing their compliance to reproductive health services. The study examined the association of topography with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics on the compliance of reproductive health services.

Methodology: This study analyzed survey data collected in 2017 among mothers in the rural community of Maasin, Iloilo, Philippines. The statistical tools Chi-square, T-test and logistic regression were used to determine the factors associated with the likelihood of mothers to comply with prenatal care, family planning and delivery care services.

Results: There is no significant difference in the number of mothers who comply with prenatal care services and family planning services between lowland and highland barangays. However, mothers from the highland barangays are more likely to have non facility-based delivery (NFBD). Only educational attainment was found to be significantly associated for prenatal services. Only parity was significantly associated with compliance to family planning services. Age, parity, educational attainment and occupation were significantly associated with compliance to delivery care service. The odds of NFBD in the highland area is 2.44 (95% CI: 1.40 to 4.23) times higher as compared to the mothers residing in the lowland area. The odds of NFBD also increases by 7% (95% CI: 3% to 11%) per year increase in age.

Conclusion: There is a great need to restructure the delivery of reproductive health services to accommodate mothers from highland barangays who still opt for NFBD. Topography, demographic and socioeconomic factors should be considered in developing strategies and implementation of reproductive health care services in the Philippines. Furthermore, the researchers recommend to include in future studies other reproductive health services such as postnatal care in order to fully grasp the reproductive health in the country.