Unseen Obstacles: The Neglect of Antenatal and Postnatal Care in Bangladesh and the Underlying Factors

Abstract

Background: In Bangladesh, women face challenges in accessing antenatal and postnatal care due to social norms, limited awareness, poor infrastructure, and economic hardship. Despite improvements in maternal health, this study explores factors affecting health-seeking behavior and identifies ongoing barriers to care. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study in 2023 recruited 575 pregnant and postpartum women from Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, with significance at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The study reveals that the average monthly income of participants is 18,117.4 Taka, with most respondents aged 18-25 years and predominantly Muslim. Most respondents (66.2%) seek antenatal care at government hospitals, while 80.9% opt for government facilities for postnatal care. Key barriers to accessing antenatal care include inadequate provider attention (30.8%), long waiting times (19.9%), and financial constraints (11.0%). For postnatal care, barriers include inadequate provider attention (32%), long waiting times (26%), and cleanliness concerns (16%). Factors preventing antenatal and postnatal care include high costs, lack of awareness, and insufficient family support. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve maternal healthcare access in rural Bangladesh. Conclusion: This study highlights challenges in antenatal and postnatal care in Bangladesh, including reliance on government facilities, financial barriers, and inadequate provider support. It calls for targeted interventions to improve maternal healthcare access.