The experiences and perspectives on birth preparedness from women and communities in rural Cambodia : rethinking the “the first delay”
Document type: mthesis
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Abstract:
High maternal mortality is a major health and social problem in Cambodia, particularly in rural areas where many women still deliver at home without the assistance of skilled birth attendants. As a majority of maternal deaths could be prevented with timely and adequate medical treatment, it is important to unpack the factors that cause what Thaddeus and Maine refer to as the “three stages of delay” (1994). Current policies do not address women and their families’ barriers in getting medical treatment on time. Primary data was collected using an ethnographic approach to uncover community perspectives with an emphasis on factors leading to the “first delay”. This study worked with a local non‐governmental organization that has supported community based interventions on birth preparedness and financial supports since 2008 in rural Cambodia. The utilization of antenatal care and delivery at the health centre (HC) has increased rapidly since 2008 but more than half of pregnant women are still not delivering at the HC. Identified factors are reframed into a model that explains how social relationships and economic status strongly influence women’s access to information and financial supports. Various stakeholders influence key decisions at each stage of childbearing. However, HC staff and village volunteers are not effectively influential in decision‐making as women do not seek information or advice from them. The strategies for community participation in birth preparedness need to be revised and strengthened taking the factors leading to the first delay into account.
Authors:
Hiwasa, A.
Country:
Cambodia
Category:
Research
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Keywords:
maternal and child health
,
communities
,
health services
Language:
eng
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
PAGE:
ix, 66
Year:
2010
Region:
Southeast Asia
Right:
© 2010 Hiwasa
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Title:
The experiences and perspectives on birth preparedness from women and communities in rural Cambodia : rethinking the “the first delay”
Training:
Master in International Health (MIH)