To determine individual‐ and country‐level determinants of utilization of key maternal health services in sub‐Saharan Africa ().
We used the most recent standard demographic and health survey data from the period of 2005 to 2015 for 34 countries. Predictors of key maternal health service indicators were determined using a sample of 245 178 women who had at least one live birth 5 years preceding the survey.
We used a two‐level hierarchical model, considering individual predictors at level one and country factors at level two of the hierarchy.
While the skilled birth attendance () utilization rate reached 53 percent during the study period, the recommended four or more antenatal care () coverage was commonly low with less significant differences among different groups of women and countries. Being in a middle‐income country increased the individual‐level association between and ( = 2.34, 95% : 1.24, 4.44). Less privileged women with lower education level were less likely to receive maternal health services.
This study reveals the existence of wide gaps between and coverage in . Urgent policy attention is required to improve access, utilization, and quality of maternal health services.
