Barriers to Access and Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services in District Quetta, Baluchistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1234/pjlaw.v2i02.96Keywords:
Barrier, Accessibility, Awareness, Utilization, Maternal Health Care ServicesAbstract
High maternal mortality rates are a pressing issue in developing and underdeveloped regions, the main reason is illiteracy or lack of health knowledge which form barrier to women access and utilization of maternal health care services. Baluchistan is on the verge of not meeting the sustainable development goals of improving maternal health due to a high maternal mortality rate which is estimated to be 298 women per 100,000 live births and lack of utilization of maternal health care services is a major contributing factor. The present study aims to explore the women’s knowledge about maternal health care and socio-cultural practices to being knowledge able among adolescent mothers in peri-urban areas of district Quetta Baluchistan (Pakistan). Employing a mixed-methods explanatory sequential approach, the study surveyed 400 married women aged 15-49, conducted key informant interviews with healthcare professionals, and held focus group discussions with health practitioners. Quantitative data was analyzed through SPSS and qualitative data analyzed through and thematic analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative results revealed a significant association between dependent and independent variables. The study revealed that 16.5% of women knew about the ANC service, whilst 83.5% of women had no idea what it was. Furthermore, just 8.3% of pregnant women had three or more prenatal visits, compared to 91.8% who had fewer than three. Furthermore, only 39.5% of women used medical experts during childbirth, compared to 60.5% who employed traditional birth attendants (Dai/TBA). Only 9.0% women had access to postnatal care. Additionally, women were less likely to be aware of maternal health care services (p=0.001). There is a need to start awareness campaigns as well as free education to all is necessary to improve maternal health.
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