Exploring the perceptions, practices and challenges to maternal and newborn health care among the underprivileged teagarden community in Bangladesh: a qualitative study

Abstract

Poor health care-seeking behaviour, access to services and availability of service delivery have implications for the health of the community. This study explored the perceptions, practices and challenges related to maternal and neonatal care in the teagarden community in Bangladesh. The study also identified service gaps and problems prevalent in teagarden health facilities. A qualitative study was conducted in five teagardens in the Moulvibazar district of Bangladesh. Six focus group discussions (FGDs) were completed with individuals from the teagarden community, and twelve in-depth interviews (IDIs) were performed with health facility staff working in those teagarden facilities. Misconceptions and harmful traditional practices were found to exist among the families in the teagardens, restricting them from accessing quality health care. Pregnant women are not aware of antenatal care, and deliveries are being conducted at home by untrained birth attendants. Unhygienic and harmful postnatal practices are used. Teagarden health facilities are not well equipped or prepared to provide good care. Inequities exist within the teagarden communities, with unregistered workers having even poorer access to care. Improvement of the quality of maternal health care for this marginalised community is needed to progress maternal health.

Community Perceptions of Person-Centered Maternity Care in Migori County, Kenya

“…Though there is a dearth of quantitative research on community perceptions on the quality of maternal care, it has been explored by a few qualitative studies. Similar with other studies, we find that community members have poor perceptions of quality of maternal care ( 27 , 28 ). A possible reason for these poor perceptions is the perceived lack of emotional support women receive from healthcare providers ( 29 ).…”

“…Furthermore, these community members may witness their female relatives being unable to effectively express or advocate for themselves, thus contributing to the poorer perceptions of communication and autonomy (28). We also find that less literate community members have poorer perceptions of supportive care (27,28). One interpretation of this finding relates to the idea of hierarchical social relations (28).…”

Performance of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: An empirical evaluation in Karnataka

“…The type of facility where women receive care, such as health centres or private/mission hospitals, also influences perception (Newham et al, 2016) [4] . In addition, the timing of antenatal care, experience of pregnancy complications, and delivery by skilled or non-skilled attendants play a role in shaping perception (Biswas et al, 2020) [1] . Economic performance, education levels, poverty levels, and gender equality in a country's national context can also impact the perception of maternity support and health programs (Farrow et al, 1996) [2] .…”

“…Other factors include the availability and accessibility of services (Newham et al, 2016) [4] , as well as the quality of care provided during antenatal and postnatal periods (Pezer, 2018) [6] . Additionally, women's characteristics such as age, employment status, and participation in household decisions can influence their perception of maternity care (Biswas et al, 2020) [1] . The type of facility where delivery takes place, the presence of skilled attendants, and the experience of pregnancy complications also shape women's perception of maternity support (Taylor, 1986) [8] .…”

An Adrift Community in Mainstream Bangladesh: Case of Tea Workers

“…Since workers are not satisfied with wages including fringe benefit, they are not attentive in increasing productivity which hampers the country's economic growth [11]. Food insufficiency was profoundly predominant, half of children in tea gardens had low dietary diversity [12], risk associated with pregnant women and new born babies, unhygienic and destructive postnatal practices were utilized, misguided judgments and unsafe conventional practices were found to exist among the families in the tea gardens that limiting them from getting quality health care [13]. "Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life" [14].…”