Gender inequality within households remains a significant barrier to women’s access to maternal healthcare services in many low-resource settings, including Bangladesh, and understanding the relationship between this inequality and women’s perceived satisfaction with maternal healthcare is important. This cross-sectional study, conducted between October and November 2022, aims to identify the factors influencing gender inequality within households and examine its association with women’s satisfaction with maternal healthcare services. A total of 150 women in their prenatal or postnatal stages were systematically sampled from Khalishpur municipality and Dighalia subdistrict in Khulna, Bangladesh. Gender inequality was assessed using a validated five-point Likert scale across five household indicators, while satisfaction with maternal healthcare was measured across five variables and converted into a standardized score. The results show that women whose husbands are self-employed or engaged in skilled labour, rather than unemployed, are around seven times more likely to face gender inequality within their households. Coercive behaviours, including physical assault and restricting women from financially supporting their maternal relatives, are also positively associated with gender inequality, which in turn is negatively related to women’s satisfaction with maternal healthcare services. Traditional home delivery, verbal abuse, and forced use of traditional medication further reduce satisfaction, whereas increased prenatal care visits improve it. The study recommends promoting equitable access to income-generating and educational opportunities within households and strengthening the national maternal health strategy through free prenatal and postnatal check-ups.
Authors: Halim, Sk. Faijan Bin; Akter, Orpa; and Islam, Md. Karimul
Type: Journal Article
Publisher: BMJ Open
Year: 2024
