Access to essential maternal health interventions and human rights violations among vulnerable communities in eastern Burma
2008

Accessing Maternal Health Services in Eastern Burma

Sample size: 2889 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Macaya Douoguih

Primary Institution: Center for Research for Mothers & Children, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health

Hypothesis

How do access to care and human rights violations relate to health status in eastern Burma?

Conclusion

The study found that access to maternal health services is severely limited in eastern Burma, particularly among communities experiencing human rights violations.

Supporting Evidence

  • Over one million Burmese are estimated to have been displaced since 1996.
  • 61% of women screened were anemic, indicating poor health status.
  • Women in Mon and Shan areas had better access to skilled birth attendants compared to those in Karen and Karenni communities.
  • Participants reporting forced relocation had nearly three times the risk of anemia.

Takeaway

In eastern Burma, many women can't get the health care they need because of war and human rights abuses, which makes them very sick.

Methodology

The study used a retrospective household survey to collect data on women's health and access to care.

Potential Biases

Selection bias due to the specific criteria for community participation in the study.

Limitations

The study may not represent the larger population due to selection bias in community participation.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 2,889 women of reproductive age from four ethnic groups: Karen, Karenni, Mon, and Shan.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pmed.0050242

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