Population Council Research that makes a difference

XXVII IUSSP International Population Conference
26–31 August

Abstract

"Does distance and transportation cost matter? Access to maternity services by Bangladeshi rural women"
Kaji Tamanna Keya, Md. Moshiur Rahman, Ubaidur Rob, and Ben Bellows

In Bangladesh, women dying for maternal causes remains high. Women face long distance and significant transportation costs to deliver at hospital. To reduce barriers, the government introduced demand-side financing program that gives transportation allowance for antenatal, delivery, complication management, and postnatal care. A total of 3,300 mothers aged 18–49 years who had given birth in the preceding year of survey were interviewed in 2010. The self-reported distance and round-trip transportation cost from residence to the health facility was recorded. Only 53% women received ANC, 20% delivery and 10% received PNC. On average women travelled six kilometers for ANC and PNC but eight kilometers for complication care or delivery. A majority of women used rickshaw or human powered van to reach health facility. On average women spent taka 100 (US$1.4) for ANC, taka 432 (US$6) for delivery and taka 132 (US$1.83) for PNC. For each additional kilometer, cost increased by taka 9 (US$0.12) for ANC, taka 30 (US$0.44) for delivery and taka 7 (US$0.11) for PNC. Currently a flat rate of taka 100 (US$1.4) for each is given; based on findings, the program should reconsider the transportation allowance.

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