Perceptions, health seeking behavior and utilization of maternal and newborn health services among an indigenous tribal community in Northeast India—a community-based mixed methods study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22083281 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ángela León Cáceres (0000-0002-4517-9409, Heidelberg University, corresponding author), Rohan Michael Ramesh (0000-0002-1089-6037, Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research Hospital), Puisaumaliu Newmai, Rhondemo Kikon, Andreas Deckert (0000-0003-0526-6249, Heidelberg University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 11 |
| Pages | 1139334-1139334 |
| Publication date | 2023-07-06 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1139334 |
| PMID | 37483938 |
| OpenAlex | W4383374182 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 20 |
Background: Evidence suggests that healthcare utilization among tribal communities in isolated regions can be influenced by social determinants of health, particularly cultural and geographical factors. The true mortality and morbidity due to these factors in remote tribal communities are often underestimated due to facility-dependent reporting systems often difficult to access. We studied the utilization of health services for maternal and newborn care and explored how cultural beliefs, perceptions, and practices influence the health-seeking behavior (HSB) of an indigenous tribal community in Northeast India. Methods: thematic coding. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out to identify factors associated with home delivery. Results: Only 3.7% of the interviewed mothers received the four recommended antenatal check-ups in health centers, and 40.1% delivered at home. Mothers residing in the villages without a health center or one that was not operational were more likely to deliver at home. HSB was influenced significantly by available finances, the mother's education, low self-esteem, and a strong belief in traditional medicine favored by its availability and religious affiliation. The community sought health services in facilities only in emergency situations, determined primarily by the tribe's poor perception of the quality of health services provided in the irregularly open centers, locally available traditional medicine practitioners, and challenges in geographical access. National schemes intended to incentivize access to facilities failed to impact this community due to flawed program implementation that did not consider this region's cultural, social, and geographical differences. Conclusion: The health-seeking behavior of the tribe is a complex, interrelated, and interdependent process framed in a medical pluralistic context. The utilization of health centers and HSBs of indigenous communities may improve when policymakers adopt a "bottom-up approach," addressing structural barriers, tailoring programs to be culturally appropriate, and guaranteeing that the perceived needs of indigenous communities are met before national objectives
Community health · Community health workers · Environmental health · Family medicine · Geography · Health services · Indigenous · Maternal health · Population · Public health · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Nursing · Social and Economic Development in India
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Too far to walk
| Citations per year | 2.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2024 - 2025 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |