Care-seeking Behavior of Pregnant Women in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi women report low but increasing use of antenatal care, as well as low rates of delivery in a health facility or with the assistance of a skilled provider. Although almost half of women reported having one or more complications during pregnancy that they perceived as life threatening, only one in three sought treatment from a qualified provider. More than three-fourths of women with the time-sensitive complications of convulsions or excessive bleeding either failed to seek any treatment or sought treatment from an unqualified provider. The principal reason cited for failing to seek care for life-threatening complications was concern over medical costs, and pronounced socioeconomic disparities were found for maternal care-seeking behavior in both urban and rural Bangladesh. Despite these gaps in access to skilled delivery and effective emergency obstetric care, some progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality levels. Improved obstetric care and declining levels of fertility and unwanted pregnancy may have played critical roles in addressing the maternal health care needs of Bangladeshi women.

Reference:

Koenig, M. A., Jamil, K., Streatfield, P. K., Saha, T., Al-Sabir, A., Arifeen, S. E., … & Haque, Y. (2007). Maternal health and care-seeking behavior in Bangladesh: findings from a national survey. International family planning perspectives, 75-82.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/30039206?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

Photo Reference: JAMIE GRILL/TETRA IMAGES RF/GETTY IMAGES