The effects of maternal-child health service utilization on subsequent contraceptive use in Morocco

• Published in: Journal of biosocial science Vol. 31; no. 2; p. 145
• Main Authors: Hotchkiss, D R, Magnani, R J, Rous, J J, Azelmat, M, Mroz, T A, Heikel, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.04.1999
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Contraception Behavior; Female; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Likelihood Functions; Maternal-Child Health Centers - utilization; Middle Aged; Models, Theoretical; Morocco; Multivariate Analysis; Socioeconomic Factors; Morocco; Health Services; Contraceptive Usage; Parents; Delivery Of Health Care; Research Methodology; Mothers; Currently Married > women; Morocco; Research Report; Maternal-child Health Services; Northern Africa; Women; Arab Countries; Family Relationships; Health; Africa; Statistical Studies; Contraception; Correlation Studies; French Speaking Africa; Mediterranean Countries; Family Planning; Marital Status; Studies; Nuptiality; Family Characteristics; Developing Countries; Primary Health Care; Family And Household
• ISSN: 0021-9320
• DOI: 10.1017/S0021932099001455

There are a number of reasons for anticipating that contact by women in developing country settings with modern maternal-child health (MCH) services will lead to increased use of family planning services. Indeed, the expectation of such a relationship underlies the integrated service delivery strategy that has been adopted on a more or less global basis. However, the available empirical evidence in support of this proposition is inconclusive. This study re-examines this issue in Morocco. Household survey data and data on the supply environment for health and family planning services gathered in 1992 are analysed in the study. A full-information maximum likelihood estimator is used to control for the possible endogeneity of health care and contraceptive choices. The findings indicate a substantial and apparently causal relationship between the intensity of MCH service use and subsequent contraceptive use. Policy simulations indicate that sizeable increases in contraceptive prevalence might be realized by increasing the coverage and intensity of use of MCH services.