Barriers to Utilization of Intra-natal Care Services among Female Garment Workers

Abstract

Background: Ready-made garments (RMG) sector expositions preeminent growth and makes an important contribution to the national economy of Bangladesh Pregnancy is a critical event for working women specially garment worker& Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out to find out the barriers to utilization of intra-natal (INC) maternal health care services among 349 female RMG workers having at least one child less than 2 years and working more than 6 months in the selected five garment factories located in Savar and Gazipur areas, Dhaka, Bangladesh Results: The mean age of the respondent was 25.01+3.722 years and majorities (45%) were from the age group 23-27 years. Half of the respondents (50.4%) completed primary level of education in contrast to their partner (35.8%). More than half of the workers (516%) said that they consumed INC services and among them, only 3.1% received delivery related services_ Two-third (662%) did not avail any type of allowances for delivery service& Majorities of the respondents (562%) delivered their last child at home. INC services provided by the garment authorities were found statistically significant (p=0.048) with the place of delivery. Conclusion: Among the global maternal deaths almost all maternal deaths occur in developing countries and most of these deaths can be prevented. Strengthening of garment factory based strategies associated with delivery care services will be combat maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity of all the working women.