Trends and antecedents of inequalities in maternal healthcare coverage in four African countries

Abstract

Using data between 2003 and 2016, this paper assesses the degree and evolution of socio-economic inequalities in maternal health outcomes in four African countries. The study measures the trends of socio-economic inequalities in maternal healthcare and assesses the sources of socio-economic inequalities in maternal health through a decomposition approach. We find cross-country differences in the evolution of maternal healthcare inequalities. Rwanda and Uganda witnessed a decline in pro-rich inequalities, whereas changes in Ethiopia and Kenya have been mixed. Further, the study finds significant contributions of personal characteristics of the woman to inequalities in maternal healthcare access.