The effect of maternal and child health resource allocation on efficiency in China

Abstract

Abstract Maternal and child healthcare services constitute a vital component of the healthcare system and play a crucial role in safeguarding population health. However, in China, challenges such as the irrational allocation of MCH resources and suboptimal operational efficiency remain prevalent. This study aims to investigate the impact of resource allocation on the efficiency of the maternal and child healthcare system in China. Data for 31 provinces and municipalities in China were obtained from the China Health Statistical Yearbook and the China Statistical Yearbook covering the period 2017 to 2021. The comprehensive Maternal and Child Health resource density index was developed by applying the entropy weight method to analyze the allocation of MCH resources across provinces. Furthermore, a three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was employed to calculate the efficiency of the provincial MCH systems. Finally, a spatial Durbin model was applied to examine the effect of the comprehensive MCH resource density on system efficiency. Between 2017 and 2021, the comprehensive Maternal and Child Health (MCH) resource density index in most regions of China increased from 0.108 to 0.138. In contrast, the average technical efficiency declined from 0.943 to 0.920, with substantial disparities observed across regions. The Moran’s I index for MCH resource efficiency ranged from − 0.349 to − 0.245, indicating significant spatial autocorrelation. Key factors influencing the technical efficiency of MCH resources included the comprehensive CHRDI in maternal and child health, urbanization rate, and total health expenditure per capita ( P  < 0.05). While the allocation of maternal and child health resources in China improved between 2017 and 2021, significant regional disparities persist. The study further reveals that the level of MCH resource allocation exerts spatial spillover effects on efficiency. Based on the current data trend, optimizing resource allocation may require a combination of policy guidance, financial input, performance evaluation, regional collaboration, and other coordination strategies.