Exploring wealth-related inequalities in maternal and child health coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean

  1. Colomé-Hidalgo, Manuel
  2. Mata Donado Campos, Juan de
  3. de Miguel, Ángel Gil
  1. 1 Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
    info

    Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/01v5cv687

  2. 2 Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
    info

    Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/01cby8j38

Revista:
BMC Public Health

ISSN: 1471-2458

Año de publicación: 2021

Volumen: 21

Número: 115

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.1186/S12889-020-10127-3 GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openAcceso abierto editor

Otras publicaciones en: BMC Public Health

Resumen

BackgroundMaternal and child health have shown important advances in the world in recent years. However, national averages indicators hide large inequalities in access and quality of care in population subgroups. We explore wealth-related inequalities affecting health coverage and interventions in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health in Latin America and the Caribbean.MethodsWe analyzed representative national surveys from 15 countries conducted between 2001 and 2016. We estimated maternal-child health coverage gaps using the Composite Coverage Index – a weighted average of interventions that include family planning, maternal and newborn care, immunizations, and treatment of sick children. We measured absolute and relative inequality to assess gaps by wealth quintile. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test the association between the coverage gap and population attributable risk.ResultsThe Composite Coverage Index showed patterns of inequality favoring the wealthiest subgroups. In eight countries the national coverage was higher than the global median (78.4%; 95% CI: 73.1–83.6) and increased significantly as inequality decreased (Pearson r = 0.9; p < 0.01).ConclusionsThere are substantial inequalities between socioeconomic groups. Reducing inequalities will improve coverage indicators for women and children. Additional health policies, programs, and practices are required to promote equity.

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Información de financiación

The authors declare that there was no funding associated with this study.

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