Wealth-Related Inequalities in Cesarean Section Utilization Among Facility-Based Births in Bangladesh: Evidence from Public and Private Healthcare Facilities
Background Bangladesh has experienced a rapid increase in cesarean section (CS) utilization over the past two decades. While previous studies have documented socioeconomic disparities in CS use, evidence on how wealth-related inequalities differ between public and private healthcare facilities remains limited. This study assessed the magnitude and drivers of socioeconomic inequality in CS utilization among facility-based births in Bangladesh. Methods We analyzed data from 3,008 facility-based births reported in the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). Survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with CS utilization. Wealth-related inequality was assessed using concentration curves and the Erreygers-corrected concentration index (ECCI). Regression-based decomposition of the standard concentration index was performed to quantify the contribution of socioeconomic, demographic, and healthcare-related factors to observed inequalities overall and separately for public and private facilities. Results Overall, 71.2% of facility-based births were delivered by CS, with substantially higher prevalence in private facilities (84.2%) than in public facilities (35.9%). Women delivering in private facilities had markedly higher odds of CS than those delivering in public facilities (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 9.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.17-11.47). Significant pro-rich inequality was observed overall (ECCI: 0.154; 95% CI: 0.117-0.191), with inequality substantially greater in public facilities (ECCI: 0.189; 95% CI: 0.114-0.264) than in private facilities (ECCI: 0.049; 95% CI: 0.014-0.084). Decomposition analysis showed that household wealth was the dominant contributor to inequality, particularly the richest wealth quintile, accounting for 81.5% of overall inequality, 63.8% in public facilities, and 109.7% in private facilities. Conclusions Wealth-related inequalities in CS utilization remain substantial in Bangladesh despite widespread use of the procedure. Although pro-rich inequality exists across both sectors, inequality is considerably greater in public facilities and is driven by different mechanisms across facility types. Policies should simultaneously improve equitable access to medically necessary CS and reduce unnecessary procedures, particularly within the private sector.