Author
Dr. Neelima Agarwal, Ghanshyam Singh, Manish Samyal
Keywords
Reproductive Health; Socioeconomic Inequality; Adolescent Reproductive Health; Contraception Access; Rural Health Disparities; Gender Inequity; Structural Determinants; Digital Health Innovation; Reproductive Justice; Integrated Health Systems.
Abstract
Reproductive health outcomes remain profoundly shaped by socioeconomic disparities across global contexts. Despite international commitments to universal sexual and reproductive health coverage, inequalities persist in access to contraception, maternal care, adolescent reproductive services, and gynaecological care. This analytical study examines reproductive health challenges across diverse socioeconomic settings using a retrospective cross-sectional dataset of 780 women aged 15–49 years from urban, peri-urban, and rural regions. Logistic regression analysis revealed that low socioeconomic status (β=0.58, p<0.001), rural residence (β=0.44, p<0.001), and low educational attainment (β=0.49, p<0.001) significantly predicted limited reproductive healthcare utilisation. Urban inequality clusters demonstrated significant disparities in contraceptive access (β=0.36, p<0.01). Integrated service exposure reduced unmet need by 32% (p<0.01). The final model explained 84% of variance in reproductive health outcomes (R²=0.84, χ²=412.7, p<0.001). Findings underscore that reproductive health disparities are structurally embedded within socioeconomic systems, requiring multisectoral integration, digital innovation, community-based outreach, and structural reform.
References
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[3] Arousell, J., Carlbom, A., Johnsdotter, S., & Essén, B. (2019). Are “low socioeconomic status” and “religiousness” barriers to minority women’s use of contraception? Midwifery, 75, 59–65.
[4] Benyamini, Y., & Todorova, I. (2017). Women’s reproductive health in sociocultural context. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 24(6), 799–802.
[5] Catherine, S., Gupta, N., Gopi, E., & Swadhi, R. (2025). Enhancing Patient Engagement and Outcomes Through Digital Transformation: Machine Learning in Medical Marketing. In Impact of Digital Transformation on Business Growth and Performance (pp. 285–312). IGI Global.
[6] Culhane, J. F., & Elo, I. T. (2005). Neighbourhood context and reproductive health. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 192(5), S22–S29.
[7] Devi, M., Manokaran, D., Sehgal, R. K., Shariff, S. A., & Vettriselvan, R. (2025). Precision Medicine, Personalized Treatment, and Network-Driven Innovations: Transforming Healthcare With AI. In AI for Large Scale Communication Networks (pp. 303–322). IGI Global.
[8] Elkin, N., Mohammed, A. K., Kılınçel, Ş., Soydan, A. M., Tanrıver, S. Ç., Çelik, Ş., & Ranganathan, M. (2025). Mental health literacy and happiness among university students: A social work perspective to promoting well-being. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, 1541316.
[9] Kapoor, R., Panner Selvam, M. K., & Sikka, S. C. (2025). Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Male Reproductive Health: A Mini Review. Reproductive Medicine, 6(4), 44.
[10] Mayer, K. H., Beyrer, C., Cohen, M. S., El-Sadr, W. M., Grinsztejn, B., Head, J. M., & Bekker, L. G. (2025). Challenges and opportunities in developing integrated sexual and reproductive health programmes. The Lancet, 406(10515), 2168–2190.
[11] Meekers, D., & Rahaim, S. (2005). The importance of socio-economic context for social marketing models for improving reproductive health. BMC Public Health, 5(1), 10.
[12] Morris, J. L., & Rushwan, H. (2015). Adolescent sexual and reproductive health: The global challenges. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 131, S40–S42.
[13] Ogundele, O. J., Pavlova, M., & Groot, W. (2020). Socioeconomic inequalities in reproductive health care services across Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 25, 100536.
[14] Ranganathan, M., Jacob, A., Ashifa, K. M., Kumar, G. J., Anthony, M., Vijay, M., & Kumari, R. B. (2024). An investigation of the effects of chronic stress on attention in parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Universal Journal of Public Health, 12(1), 37–50.
[15] Rani, M., & Lule, E. (2004). Exploring the socioeconomic dimension of adolescent reproductive health: a multicountry analysis. International Family Planning Perspectives, 110–117.
[16] Robinson, N., Stoffel, C., & Haider, S. (2015). Global women’s health is more than maternal health: a review of gynecology care needs in low-resource settings. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, 70(3), 211–222.
[17] Shanthi, H. J., Gokulakrishnan, A., Sharma, S., Deepika, R., & Swadhi, R. (2025). Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Enhancing Urban Health: Applications, Challenges, and Innovations. In Nexus of AI, Climatology, and Urbanism for Smart Cities (pp. 275–306). IGI Global.
[18] Singh, S., Darroch, J. E., & Frost, J. J. (2001). Socioeconomic disadvantage and adolescent women’s sexual and reproductive behavior: the case of five developed countries. Family Planning Perspectives, 251–289.
[19] Sommer, M., & Mmari, K. (2015). Addressing structural and environmental factors for adolescent sexual and reproductive health in low- and middle-income countries. American Journal of Public Health, 105(10), 1973–1981.
[20] Sutton, M. Y., Anachebe, N. F., Lee, R., & Skanes, H. (2021). Racial and ethnic disparities in reproductive health services and outcomes, 2020. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 137(2), 225–233.
[21] Wood, S. M., Alston, L., Chapman, A., Lenehan, J., & Versace, V. L. (2024). Barriers and facilitators to women’s access to sexual and reproductive health services in rural Australia: a systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1), 1221.
Received : 29 January 2026
Accepted : 21 March 2026
Published : 29 March 2026
DOI: 10.30726/ijmrss/v13.i1.2026.13107