Factors Influencing the Accessibility of Maternal Health Service in Cambodia

Abstract

Despite worldwide efforts, maternal and child mortality remains a major health problem in many developing countries. Cambodia’s maternal mortality rate has decreased over recent years through government efforts and support from various international development cooperation agencies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that affected the accessibility of Cambodia’s maternal healthcare services. Data from maternal health service surveys conducted in Battambang, Cambodia in 2012 and 2015 were compared and analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify factors related to the accessibility of integrated maternal healthcare service. The travel time to health centers was found to be related to distance from the health center (ß = 0.031, p < 0.001), travel time during the rainy season (ß = 0.166, p < 0.001), and travel cost (ß = 0.001, p < 0.001), with an explanatory power of 27% (R2 = 0.274). Based on these findings, future research and policy should focus on improving accessibility to effective maternal and child healthcare services, to reduce maternal and child mortality. This study is intended to contribute to developing a multi-directional and integrated strategy for access to maternal health services in developing countries.