Analysis on the economic burden of maternal health care of 9 193 women during early pregnancy in China / 公共卫生与预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the status of economic burden of maternal health care of pregnant women in China, and to discuss the equity and accessibility of maternal health care during pregnancy among different regions and populations. Methods A total of 9 193 women during early pregnancy were recruited from the Chinese Pregnant Women Cohort Study between July 25, 2017 and November 26, 2018. Information on general condition and economic burden of maternal health care was surveyed. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results The median direct medical cost of maternity check-ups for pregnant women was 400 CNY per visit, and the median cost of lost work was 360 CNY per visit. The analysis of the results showed that the median medical expense was highest in pre-pregnant women with BMI 2 (P=0.008). The median medical expense was higher in urban residents than rural residents (Ptrend=0.003). The higher the socioeconomic status was, the higher the direct medical expense was (Ptrend=0.003). The cost of lost work was lower in pregnant women with higher socioeconomic status (P=0.025, Ptrend=0.017). In addition, the medical expense was highest in women living in the eastern part of China (P<0.001). The direct medical expenses (P=0.002) and lost-time expenses of pregnant women in the North were higher than those in the South (P=0.013). Conclusion The problem of equity and accessibility of maternal health care still existed. It is recommended that relevant departments further improve maternal health care services and build a diversified healthcare service system to ensure maternal and child health and promote eugenics.