ArticleBMJ global health2019
The influence of distance and quality on utilisation of birthing services at health facilities in Eastern Region, Ghana.
Article in BMJ global health, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 42 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
42 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 79 citations in OpenAlex.
- How applicable is geospatial analysis in maternal and neonatal health in sub-Saharan Africa? A systematic review.Journal of global health · 2022Pooled it
- Urban-Rural Disparities in Geographic Healthcare Accessibility: A Comparative Study of Nigeria and Zambia.Journal of urban health : bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine · 2026Article
- The 'golden hour': a geospatial analysis of travel time to public emergency departments in Kenya.BMJ global health · 2026Observational
- Assessing first-time mothers' satisfaction with postnatal care services in Tamale Metropolis: using cross-sectional design.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Article
- Benefits and challenges of voucher-based transport for skilled birth attendance in Kitui County, Kenya: the health stakeholders' perspectives.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- A cross-sectional study to evaluate access to antenatal care services in Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira district of Ghana.PloS one · 2026Article
- Association of Travel Time and Residential Location With the Use of Antenatal Care and Institutional Delivery Services in Afghanistan.Obstetrics and gynecology international · 2026Article
- Factors influencing health service utilisation among older adults in the Tamale metropolis: a cross-sectional study based on Andersen's behavioural model.BMC geriatrics · 2025Article
- Healthcare utilisation among people living with sickle cell disease in the Upper West Region of Ghana.BMC health services research · 2025Article
- Knowledge of obstetrical fistula and its associated factors among reproductive-age women in Ejere Woreda, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia: a community-based study.Frontiers in global women's health · 2025Article
- "Where and Whom You Collect Weightings from Matters…" Capturing Wellbeing Priorities Within a Vulnerable Context: A Case Study of Volta Delta, Ghana.Social indicators research · 2025Article
- Impact of Urban Slum Residence on Coverage of Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Service Indicators in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana: an Ecological Time-Series Analysis, 2018-2021.Journal of urban health : bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine · 2024Article
- Assessing the Link between Maternal Transport Modes and Childhood Mortality in Nigeria.Maternal and child health journal · 2024Article
- Utilisation of postnatal care services among maternal in Maeen District - Sana'a City, Yemen.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2024Article
- Availability and readiness of healthcare facilities and their effects on antenatal care services uptake in Bangladesh.BMC health services research · 2024Article
- Article
- Estimates and determinants of health facility delivery in the Birhan cohort in Ethiopia.PloS one · 2024Article
- Article
- Revealed versus potential spatial accessibility of healthcare and changing patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic.Communications medicine · 2023Article
- Disparities in health and nutrition between semi-urban and rural mothers and birth outcomes of their newborns in Bukavu, DR Congo: a baseline assessment.Primary health care research & development · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesSkilled birth attendance is the single most important intervention to reduce maternal mortality. However, studies have not used routinely collected health service birth data at named health facilities to understand the influence of distance and quality of care on childbirth service utilisation. Thus, this paper aims to quantify the influence of distance and quality of healthcare on utilisation of birthing services using routine health data in Eastern Region, Ghana.
methodsWe used a spatial interaction model (a model that predicts movement from one place to another) drawing on routine birth data, emergency obstetric care surveys, gridded estimates of number of pregnancies and health facility location. We compared travel distances by sociodemographic characteristics and mapped movement patterns.
resultsA kilometre increase in distance significantly reduced the prevalence rate of the number of women giving birth in health facilities by 6.7%. Although quality care increased the number of women giving birth in health facilities, its association was insignificant. Women travelled further than expected to give birth at facilities, on average journeying 4.7 km beyond the nearest facility with a recorded birth. Women in rural areas travelled 4 km more than urban women to reach a hospital. We also observed that 56% of women bypassed the nearest hospital to their community.
conclusionThis analysis provides substantial opportunities for health planners and managers to understand further patterns of skilled birth service utilisation, and demonstrates the value of routine health data. Also, it provides evidence-based information for improving maternal health service provision by targeting specific communities and health facilities.
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