Developing a Maternal and Child Health Program in Urban Slums of Bangladesh
Author Information
Author(s): Ahmed Syed Masud, Hossain Awlad, Khan Marufa Aziz, Mridha Malay Kanti, Alam Ashraful, Choudhury Nuzhat, Sharmin Tamanna, Afsana Kaosar, Bhuiya Abbas
Primary Institution: BRAC
Hypothesis
How can formative research inform the development of a maternal, neonatal, and child health program in urban slums?
Conclusion
The formative research helped to create a relevant and responsive intervention for maternal and child health in the slums.
Supporting Evidence
- Community members had superficial knowledge of MNCH care, which was inadequate for optimal survival.
- Men and women had different perceptions of pregnancy and delivery, affecting their health-seeking behavior.
- Referral linkages to higher facilities were inadequate and disorganized.
Takeaway
Researchers talked to people in a slum to understand their health needs and created a program to help mothers and babies stay healthy.
Methodology
Data were collected through transect walks, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and small quantitative surveys.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the reliance on self-reported data and the limited scope of qualitative methods.
Limitations
The study was limited by time and resources, and findings may not be generalizable to all slums.
Participant Demographics
Participants included slum dwellers, healthcare providers, and influential community members.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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