The influence of intra household gendered socio-economic relations on access to maternal health services : a case study of Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement

Abstract

This research study focused on the influence of intra household gendered socio-economic relations on access to maternal health services in Kiryandongo. The main objective was to investigate the influence of intra household gendered socio-economic relations on access to maternal health services. The specific objectives were to: 1). Assess the nature of gender relations; 2). Determine how decisions to access maternal health services were made; 3). Examine the socio factors that influence access to maternal health services; 4). Explore the economic factors that influence access to maternal health services. The study employed concurrent nested design which combined both quantitative and qualitative research methods for data collection. Quantitative data was collected from 74 respondents. Qualitative raw data was collected from 14 key informants and 10 in depth interview from refugee leaders. The findings indicated that: women have very little or no control on seeking maternal health services, there are unilateral decision making on maternal health services, refugees preferred traditional birth attendants (TBA’s) to the health facility and refugees preferred private services to free maternal health services. In recommendation the Government of Uganda and partners like United Nations High Commission for Refugees should empower, sensitize, train and initiate and promote good culture among refugees.