Most Kiwi mums happy with maternity care, but inequities remain

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-02-09 08:00

New Zealand

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University of Otago researchers have analysed the results of a 2014 survey by the Ministry of Health that found that more than 75 per cent of Kiwi women are satisfied with their maternity care. But upon further analysis, the research team found that this satisfaction wasn't evenly spread among Kiwi women and that certain groups of women were more likely to be dissatisfied due to issues such as physical access, cultural care, information provided, or additional costs. For example, their analysis found that 71 per cent of women had paid for services, mostly ultrasounds, and that the additional maternity-related costs women reported were unevenly distributed. The authors recommend that more resources should be available particularly for young women, those in remote rural areas, and in high deprivation areas.

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Research Elsevier, Web page

Journal/
conference: Midwifery

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Otago

Funder: This is part of a PhD study funded by a University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship.

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