Socioeconomic inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization in Zambia: 1997-2014

Background: Exploring the trends and socioeconomic inequalities in the use of maternal healthcare utilisation between 1997 and 2014. Methods: Data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate regression methods. Results: Women in the higher wealth quintiles (Q4 and Q5) generally had higher prevalence of using health facility delivery and postnatal care services compared with those in the lower wealth quintiles (Q1 and Q2), whereas the prevalence of timely and adequate ANC visit was comparatively higher among those in the lower wealth quintiles. Conclusion: Findings indicated important sociodemographic inequalities in using maternal healthcare services, addressing which may help promote the utilisation of these services.