The perceptions, health-seeking behaviours and access of Scheduled Caste women to maternal health services in Bihar, India
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3972976 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Parisa Patel (0000-0003-0053-3635, Medical Student & BSc International Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK, corresponding author), Mahua Das (0000-0002-6458-977X, University of Leeds), Utpal Das (0000-0003-2239-7400, Family Planning Lead at Bihar Technical Support Unit, Care India, Bihar, India) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 54 |
| Pages | 114-125 |
| Publication date | 2018-11-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Reproductive Health Matters (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0968-8080 • E-ISSN: 1460-9576 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/09688080.2018.1533361 |
| PMID | 30403933 |
| OpenAlex | W2899518058 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 15 |
| References cited | 8 |
The caste system is a complex social stratification system which has been abolished, but remains deeply ingrained in India. Scheduled Caste (SC) women are one of the historically deprived groups, as reflected in poor maternal health outcomes and low utilisation of maternal healthcare services. Key government schemes introduced in 2005 mean healthcare-associated costs should now be far less of a deterrent. This paper examines the factors contributing to this low use of maternal health services by investigating the perceptions, health-seeking behaviours and access of SC women to maternal healthcare services in Bihar, India. Eighteen in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with SC women in Bihar. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis and presented using the AAAQ Toolbox. Main facilitating factors included the introduction of accredited social health activists (ASHAs), free maternal health services, the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), and changes in the cultural acceptability of institutional delivery. Main barriers included inadequate ASHA coverage, poor information access, transport costs and unauthorised charges to SC women from healthcare staff. SC women in Bihar may be inequitably served by maternal health services, and in some cases may face specific discrimination. Recommendations to improve SC service utilisation include research into the improvement of postnatal care, reducing unauthorised payments to healthcare staff and improvements to the ASHA programme
Asha · Business · Caste · Economic growth · Environmental health · Health care · Political science · Population · Reproductive 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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| Unique citing works | 15 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1,88 |
| Citation span | 2018 - 2026 (9) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 14 |