A Regionalization Model to Increase Equity of Access to Maternal and Neonatal Care Services in Iran.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Access to maternal and neonatal care services (MNCS) is an important goal of health policy in developing countries. In this study, we proposed a 3-level hierarchical location-allocation model to maximize the coverage of MNCS providers in Iran.

Methods

First, the necessary criteria for designing an MNCS network were explored. Birth data, including gestational age and birth weight, were collected from the data bank of the Iranian Maternal and Neonatal Network national registry based on 3 service levels (I, II, and III). Vehicular travel times between the points of demand and MNCS providers were considered. Alternative MNCS were mapped in some cities to reduce access difficulties.

Results

It was found that 130, 121, and 86 MNCS providers were needed to respond

SUBMITTER: Daniali ZM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8841192 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature