Emma Pitchforth|Edwin van Teijlingen|Wendy Graham|Ann Fitzmaurice
Development of a proxy wealth index for women utilizing emergency obstetric care in Bangladesh
University of Leicester|Aberdeen Maternity Hospital|University of Aberdeen|University of Aberdeen|University of Aberdeen
increasing concerns regarding inequities access health care hence calls routine data collection improve monitoring many developing countries bangladesh increasing availability uptake emergency obstetric care emoc vital improving maternal health crucial however women socioeconomic status benefit paper describes development validation proxy wealth index assessing womens socioeconomic status bangladesh admitted hospital existing poverty assessment tools unsuitable use context lengthy need administered household community level sought develop tool limited number indicators allow quick administration avoid interference treatment also aimed develop pragmatic tool able calculate score field steps involving selecting weighting indicators assigning proxy wealth score validating score outlined indicators selected bangladeshi demographic health survey dhs data allowed comparison socioeconomic status women using emoc wider population tool proved quick easy use acceptable women families validity tool established means factor analysis comparison dhs data suggested women using emoc significantly wealthier women wider population implications well strengths limitations proxy wealth index discussed proxy wealth index offers potential pragmatic quick means assessing poverty status busy hospital setting tool may enable monitoring equity access treatment identification least able afford treatment enable mechanisms place pay care applied timely fashion avoiding delays treating lifethreatening complications