The role of transportation to access maternal care services for women in rural Bangladesh and Burkina Faso: A mixed methods study. Issue 1 (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alam, Nazmul; Chowdhury, Mahbub Elahi; Kouanda, Seni; Seppey, Mathieu; Alam, Anadil; Savadogo, Justin Ragnessi; Sia, Drissa; Fournier, Pierre
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. Volume 135:Issue 1(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: S45
• Page End: S50
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Accessibility -- Bangladesh -- Burkina Faso -- Emergency Obstetric Care -- Facility Delivery -- Transport -- Rural areas; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2016.09.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7292

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To understand the role of transportation in accessing health care during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period among women in rural Bangladesh and Burkina Faso. Methods: An exploratory mixed methods study was conducted in Mymensingh district in Bangladesh and Kaya district in Burkina Faso. We recruited 300 women from Bangladesh and 340 from Burkina Faso with a delivery outcome within one year of interview. Key informant interviews were conducted with 19 participants and 12 focus group discussions took place with attendees in selected community clinics. Results: Of the interviewees, 45.7% in Bangladesh and 73.2% in Burkina Faso reported having had health complications during their last pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum period. Of all women, 42.7% in Bangladesh and 67.4% in Burkina Faso sought facility care for their complications. Facility-based delivery was much higher in Burkina Faso (87.7%) than Bangladesh (38.2%). Literacy, transport availability, transportation costs, and travel time were associated with care seeking behavior. Conclusion: Lack of reliable transportation was reported as a significant barrier to accessing care during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum by women in Bangladesh and Burkina Faso. Effort should be made to improve access to emergency obstetric care, and transport intervention should be strengthened.