Date of Conferral

7-24-2025

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Claudia Kozinetz

Abstract

Extant literature reports increased uptake of maternal health care utilization in Liberia in the era following the 14-year civil war that ended in 2004. The purpose of this secondary quantitative data analysis study was to examine the relationship between women’s place of residence, women’s earnings spending autonomy, and maternal health care utilization of women ages 15–49 in Liberia. Maternal health care utilization in this study is measured by women’s visits to government hospitals for antenatal care. Maternal health care utilization indicates whether women who were pregnant within the 3 years before the 2019–20 Demographic Health Survey in Liberia attended any number of antenatal service with a yes or no answers. Logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significantly odds of maternal health care utilization by women with high school education (Grades 10–12) (OR = 2.465, p = < .001), women who make contraceptive use decisions with their partners (OR = .628, p < .032) and women’s place of residence (OR = 0.313, p < .001). Other sociodemographic variables were examined for evidence of association. Findings from this study have potential implications for positive social change by supporting the uptake of maternal health care utilization, enhancing women’s empowerment strategies, and informing policies that increase women’s involvement in major decisions about their health and well-being. Policy decisions can be informed by knowing where the greatest maternal health needs are and whether residential location, such as urban or rural counties and regions of Liberia, is a barrier.

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