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Reproductive Health
Published in: Reproductive Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-06-2016 | Research

Health care seeking behaviours in pregnancy in rural Sindh, Pakistan: a qualitative study

Authors: Rahat Najam Qureshi, Sana Sheikh, Asif Raza Khowaja, Zahra Hoodbhoy, Shujaat Zaidi, Diane Sawchuck, Marianne Vidler, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Peter von Dadeslzen, CLIP Working Group

Published in: Reproductive Health | Special Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Pakistan has alarmingly high numbers of maternal mortality along with suboptimal care-seeking behaviour. It is essential to identify the barriers and facilitators that women and families encounter, when deciding to seek maternal care services. This study aimed to understand health-seeking patterns of pregnant women in rural Sindh, Pakistan.

Methods

A qualitative study was undertaken in rural Sindh, Pakistan as part of a large multi-country study in 2012. Thirty three focus group discussions and 26 in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers [n = 173], male decision-makers [n = 64], Lady Health Workers [n = 64], Lady Health Supervisors [n = 10], Women Medical Officers [n = 9] and Traditional Birth Attendants [n = 7] in the study communities. A set of a priori themes regarding care-seeking during pregnancy and its complications as well as additional themes as they emerged from the data were used for analysis. Qualitative analysis was done using NVivo version 10.

Results

Women stated they usually visited health facilities if they experienced pregnancy complications or danger signs, such as heavy bleeding or headache. Findings revealed the importance of husbands and mothers-in-law as decision makers regarding health care utilization. Participants expressed that poor availability of transport, financial constraints and the unavailability of chaperones were important barriers to seeking care. In addition, private facilities were often preferred due to the perceived superior quality of services.

Conclusion

Maternal care utilization was influenced by social, economic and cultural factors in rural Pakistani communities. The perceived poor quality care at public hospitals was a significant barrier for many women in accessing health services. If maternal lives are to be saved, policy makers need to develop processes to overcome these barriers and ensure easily accessible high-quality care for women in rural communities.

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Metadata
Title
Health care seeking behaviours in pregnancy in rural Sindh, Pakistan: a qualitative study
Authors
Rahat Najam Qureshi
Sana Sheikh
Asif Raza Khowaja
Zahra Hoodbhoy
Shujaat Zaidi
Diane Sawchuck
Marianne Vidler
Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Peter von Dadeslzen
CLIP Working Group
Publication date
01-06-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Health / Issue Special Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1742-4755
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0140-1

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