Indigenous women’s access to maternal healthcare services in lower- and middle-income countries: a systematic integrative review

Shahinoor Akter (), Kate Davies (), Jane Louise Rich () and Kerry Jill Inder ()
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Shahinoor Akter: The University of Newcastle
Kate Davies: The University of Newcastle
Jane Louise Rich: The University of Newcastle
Kerry Jill Inder: The University of Newcastle

International Journal of Public Health, 2019, vol. 64, issue 3, No 6, 343-353

Abstract: Abstract Objectives Globally, Indigenous people have lower-health status compared to non-Indigenous people due to unequal access to health care. Barriers or enablers to accessing maternal health services by Indigenous women are not well researched. This review aims to determine accessibility and utilisation of maternal primary healthcare services among Indigenous women in lower- and middle-income countries. Methods We conducted a systematic integrative review of published and grey literature published between 2000 and 2017. Studies on maternal healthcare service utilisation by Indigenous women in lower- and middle-income countries were included. From 3092 articles identified, 10 met the eligibility criteria. Results The most prominent barrier to accessing maternal primary healthcare services was the top-down nature of intervention programmes, which made programmes culturally unfriendly for Indigenous women. Distance, cost, transport, accommodation, language barriers and lack of knowledge about existing services also impacted access. Conclusions Findings provided insights into understanding the gaps in existing policies for Indigenous women and their access to maternal health services. Results suggested that efforts be made to ensure appropriate programmes for Indigenous women’s maternal health right.

Keywords: Indigenous women; Accessibility; Healthcare services; Lower- and middle-income countries; Maternal health care (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1177-4

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