Socio-demographic and infrastructural variables influencing maternal risk concentration among ever-married women of reproductive age in rural West Bengal, India

BackgroundThe risk of a woman dying as a result of pregnancy or childbirth during her lifetime is about one in six in the poorest parts of the world.ObjectivesThe present study aims to determine prevalence of maternal risk and the influencing variables among ever-married women belonging to the reproductive age group (15-49) of Birbhum district, West Bengal.MethodsA cohort-based retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out among the sample of 229 respondents through a purposive stratified random sampling method and a pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire. The ordinal logistic regression (OLR) model was taken as a tool of assessment. Before developing the proportional OLR model, we have checked the multicollinearity effect among the predictors and the first-order effect modifier was evaluated as well. We performed data analysis using SPSS version 26.ResultsThe result shows that illiterate women (Odds ratios [OR] = 2.81, 95% CI, 0.277-1.791), from lower standard of living (OR = 1.14, 95% CI, -0.845-1.116), married before the age of 15 years (OR = 21.96, 95% CI, -0.55-6.73) and between the age of 15-18 years (OR = 24.51. 95% CI, -0.45-6.85) are more likely to be affected by the higher concentration of maternal risk. Other important predictor is the time of pregnancy registration. Considering the transport and related en-route causalities, the result portraying a clear picture where the distance and travel time becoming significant factors in determining the concentration of maternal risk.ConclusionIncidences of child marriages should be restricted. Eradicating factors influencing an individual's decision to seek care would be an essential contribution in excluding the dominant maternal risk factors. Individual factors are more responsible than geographical determinants. Illiteracy directly influencing overall concentration of higher maternal risk score. Rural poor are vulnerable due to inadequate and improper health care seeking behaviour. Most of the fatal outcomes can be reduced with in-time provision of adequate care.