Transport accessibility and hospital attributes: A nonlinear analysis of their impact on Women's prenatal care seeking behavior

This study, based on a substantial Wuhan dataset (23,947 samples), investigates factors influencing prenatal care-seeking, focusing on transport accessibility and hospital attributes. Findings indicate a nuanced relationship: (1) A non-linear trend, resembling an inverted "U," reveals the complex interplay between transport accessibility, hospital attributes, and prenatal care visits. Hospital attributes have a more pronounced impact than transport accessibility. (2) Interaction analysis underscores that lower prenatal care visits relate to low-income and education levels, despite reasonable public transport accessibility. (3) Spatial disparities are significant, with suburban areas facing increased obstacles compared to urban areas, particularly for those in suburban rural areas. This study enhances understanding by emphasizing threshold effects and spatial heterogeneity, offering valuable perspectives for refining prenatal care policies and practices.PMID:38696875 | DOI:10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103250
Source: Health and Place - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: research