Assessing Maternal Healthcare Utilization of Young Filipino Mothers: Disparities across Demographic Dividend Statuses

Maria Paz Marquez, University of the Philippines
Grace Cruz, University of the Philippines Population Institute
Queenie Rose Chico, University of the Philippines Population Institute

The study examines maternal healthcare utilization among young Filipino mothers aged 15-24 in relation to the demographic dividend status of their regions. Employing data from the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey, the study examines seven indicators of antenatal care (ANC), delivery, and postnatal care (PNC) services across 17 regions in the Philippines. These regions are classified based on support ratios, a measure of demographic dividend readiness. The analytic sample includes 1,102 ever-pregnant women and 1,273 live births, categorized into high, moderate, and low demographic dividend status (DDS) regions. Results indicate significant associations between DDS and all maternal healthcare indicators except for the timing of the first PNC visit. Women in high DDS regions demonstrate higher compliance with recommended maternal healthcare standards, particularly at least four ANC visits and facility-based delivery (FBD). Regression analyses reveal distinct sociodemographic, economic, and fertility-related factors influencing the number of ANC visits and FBD across DDS levels. Findings highlight disparities in healthcare utilization, with education, economic status, and cultural factors playing critical roles. The study underscores the importance of region-specific interventions to improve maternal healthcare outcomes, particularly in low DDS regions, while promoting education and economic empowerment as key drivers in high DDS regions.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Population and Development

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