Factors Affecting the Accessibility of Maternal Healthcare Facilities in Punjab Province, Pakistan

Abstract

The study was conducted to identify the hidden factors that influence maternal health services in the Punjab region of Pakistan. The study was conducted in Punjab province, Pakistan. A multi stage sampling technique was used to cover the large area. The area was separated into three stages. In the first stage, one division of Gujranwala out of nine divisions was selected through a random sampling technique. In the second stage, two districts were selected Sialkot and Gujranwala through a random sampling technique. In the third stage, four hundred respondents were selected 200 from each district through a convenient sampling technique. The findings of the research demonstrate that most of the respondents were living in rural areas. The majority of the respondents were high school pass and the respondent’s husband's education was intermediate level. Most of the respondent’s total household monthly income was 20001-30000. The majority of the respondents have less awareness about pregnancy problems and respondents faced complications during pregnancy. Most of the mothers faced difficult access to maternal health care services and had a long distance to health care center from home while most of the respondents hardly had access to transport. The majority of the respondents could not afford any maternal health care services and were waiting long hours for checkup sat the maternal health centers. The majority of the respondents adopted a traditional method and they delivered the baby at home and most of the respondents agreed that patriarchy impacts maternal health care services. It is recommended that the government ensure basic education, particularly in rural areas of Punjab, Pakistan