1. Healthcare-seeking Pattern by Women Suffering from Chronic Obstetric Morbidities
Samina Sultana (samina@icddrb.org) and Charles P. Larson
ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Background: Obstetric morbidities are common among women of reproductive age. Long-term
sequelae originating from pregnancy and childbirth include genital prolapse, genital fistulas, old
perineal tears, haemorrhoids, dyspareunia, and urinary incontinence. Although these problems
may not necessarily be life-threatening, they have a considerable chronic impact on health and
well-being. Women with chronic obstetric morbidities often remain silent and do not seek
professional healthcare.
Objective: To explore the healthcare-seeking patterns of women who reported chronic obstetric
morbidities.
Methodology: The study was conducted at Mirpur, an urban slum of Dhaka. In total, 183 non-
pregnant married women of reproductive age were interviewed, who had delivered between 12
and 24 months prior to the date of interview.
Results: Of the respondents who reported a chronic obstetric morbidity, 24% sought healthcare
12.5% (3) from a graduate physician, 12.5% (3) from NGO healthcare providers, 8.3% (2) from
homeopaths, 54.1% (13) from drug vendors at pharmacies, and 4.2% (1) from kabiraj. None of
them visited a government health facility. Sixty-two percent of the respondents discussed their
health problems with their husbands. Twenty-nine percent reported that their morbidity created
obstacles in performing their regular activities, and of these women, 31% (9) visited some form
of healthcare provider. Thirty-nine percent stated that relationship with their husband has been
changed due to their morbidity, and only 28% (11) visited some form of healthcare provider.
Reasons for not seeking any healthcare were shyness or embarrassment to disclose the health
problem to a male doctor, not knowing where to find a female doctor, lack of money, and the
belief that chronic obstetric morbidities are natural for parous women for which nothing can be
done.
Conclusion: The use of healthcare for chronic obstetric morbidities was low, and most women
sought care from untrained providers. The use of appropriate health services was better among
the respondents who had discussed their problem with their husbands.
Acknowledgements: The financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation is acknowledged.