Maternal Care among Young Mothers in Latin America and Caribbean Countries

Latin America and the Caribbeans have experienced a peculiar fast fertility decline alongside a worrying stalling, at times increasing, teenage fertility over the last three decades. Several papers have highlighted how adolescent mothers are more vulnerable in economic, social and health terms. However more analysis is needed on their access to health services while pregnant. Using data from the last wave of the DHS surveys this paper will explore the determinants of maternal health care access among teenage mothers in 7 Latin American countries. Multi-variate, multilevel logistic models are being used to assess the effect, among others, of age, socio-economic and community determinants, on the timing (within the first trimester) and quantity of antenatal visits. Results show that age and SES play a fundamental role in explaining access to prenatal care. More specifically young age and poverty are key barriers to usage of maternal health care services.