Dissecting Socio-Economic Determinants of Maternal and Child Health-Seeking Behavior in Punjab, Pakistan: A Discrete Choice Analysis

Abstract

Maternal and child health is a basic requirement for any form of socio-economic development. The improvement in access to health care is a serious dimension in district Chakwal of the Punjab Pakistan and is influenced by the socio-cultural and economic dimensions. This study has strived to look into the socio-economic determinants affecting maternal and child health-seeking behavior in District Chakwal. Data were collected from 385 mothers, using a structured questionnaire, and a multistage design was used to obtain the sample for representation. A cross-sectional design was used for data analysis in this study. The major determinants of health-seeking behavior included age, number of children, marital status, income, education, occupation, preferred healthcare provider, frequency of visit, distance to facilities, perceived quality of care, and cultural beliefs. The model explained 25% of variance in the behavior. Findings point out the need for targeted interventions addressing the disparities in socio-economic status, improved services with better access to healthcare, and quality services offered with cultural sensitivity. Limiting the causality assessment, the ongoing design with cross-sectional nature suggested the need for longitudinal studies.