The determinants of use of maternal and child health services in Metro Cebu, the Philippines

Abstract

The determinants of the use of family planning, prenatal care, childhood immunizations and oral rehydration salts (ORS) were studied with survey data of 8000 women in Metro Cebu, the Philippines. Polytomous logistic regression methods were used. The level of maternal education was the most consistent and important determinant of use of these four health services in both urban and rural areas. For example, the estimated odds of using modern contraception increased by six and eleven per cent for each additional year of schooling in urban and rural strata respectively. Economic status and access to service variables had less consistent patterns: women’s work status, for example, was associated only with contraceptive use.