Social and structural factors to promote maternal health in Bangladesh

ABSTRACTBackground: This study identified social and structural factors associated with maternal health care access and utilization in Bangladesh.Methods: Data were collected in early 2014 using a nationally representative, face-to-face survey of 3000 Bangladeshi mothers to infants between 0 and 9 months. Participants reported their knowledge, attitudes, discussions, social norms, structural barriers, agency, and practices for their most recent pregnancy and their self-efficacy for future pregnancies. Hypothesized conceptual models were tested separately for new mothers and for those who previously had children.Results: For both groups, more helpful discussions were associated with more supportive social norms, knowledge, attitudes, and increased antenatal care; perceived barriers to medical care were negatively associated with agency. Although the social and structural environments were important for both new and established mothers, the pattern of relationships was distinct.Conclusions: A woman's attitu...