O-69 Socioeconomic inequalities in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in Guyana: A time trends analysis.

Methods: We used data from four nationally representative Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys (MICS) conducted in Guyana from 2006 to 2019. We assessed trends in RMNCH indicators at national level, by place of residence and by wealth index. We calculated the slope index of inequality and the concentration index of inequality to assess trends in inequalities overtime. We calculated the average absolute annual change (AAAC) of the indicators using a weighted variance regression.

Results: From 2006 to 2019, Guyana was able to increase the coverage of institutional delivery by 15.0%;children who breastfed exclusively by 31.0% and under-five stunting prevalence decreased by 49.0%. Neonatal mortality decreased by 22.5% and under-five mortality by 27.4% from 2006 to 2019. Five (ANC4+, institutional delivery, SBA, exclusive breastfeeding, careseeking for pneumonia and DPT3) out of the 16 intervention indicators assessed had a positive increase in AAAC. The gap between poorest and richest women tended to decreased for 12 out of the 16 interventions indicators assessed. Institutional delivery was the best performer in increasing coverage and decreasing inequality overtime, while immunization with measles was the worst performer. The gaps between poorest and richest in both under-five stunting prevalence and under-five mortality rate tended to decrease overtime.

Conclusion: Guyana has made some progress in increasing coverage of several RMNCH indicators and decreasing inequalities from 2006 to 2019.. Such findings can be used as a warning signal to double efforts to achieve the SDGs and reduce inequalities.