Utilization of maternal health services among adolescent women in Bangladesh: A scoping review of the literature

Trop Med Int Health. 2015 Jul;20(7):822-9. doi: 10.1111/tmi.12503. Epub 2015 Mar 27.

Abstract

Objective: To understand the health-seeking behaviour of adolescent women in Bangladesh with respect to the use of maternal health services.

Methods: Literature review of seven electronic databases: PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, POPLINE and Global Health. Studies published in English between 1990 and 2013 which describe Bangladeshi adolescent women's healthcare-seeking behaviour during pregnancy, delivery and post-partum were included.

Results: Twelve studies were included in this review. 11 used quantitative methods and one used a mixed-methods approach. All studies included married adolescent women only. Women with lower educational levels are less likely to seek skilled maternal health services than those with higher levels of education. Use of maternal health services is also less common among rural married adolescent women than women in urban areas. Being part of the richest bands of wealth, having had previous experiences of childbirth and higher women's autonomy positively influence the use of skilled maternal health services among married adolescent women in Bangladesh. Antenatal care is a key predictor of the use of skilled birth attendants for delivery and post-natal care.

Conclusion: Maternal health-related programmes should be designed targeting rural and uneducated married adolescent women in Bangladesh. More qualitative investigations are required to broaden our understanding on maternal health-seeking behaviour of both married and unmarried adolescent women.

Keywords: Adolescente; Bangladesh; adolescent; adolescente; comportement de recherche de la santé ou utilisation des services de santé maternelle; decisiones sobre la salud; embarazo en la adolescencia; grossesse à l'adolescence; health-seeking behaviour or use of maternal health services; pregnancy in adolescence; uso de servicios de atención materna.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bangladesh
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Maternal Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Maternal Welfare*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Pregnancy