Patterns of care-seeking for postpartum symptoms in urban Karachi, Pakistan: implications for intervention design.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Pakistan, the maternal mortality rate is 186/100,000 live births, with postpartum (PP) or maternal sepsis being the third leading cause of maternal deaths. Delays in early identification and timely management of PP sepsis are associated with mortality and severe maternal outcomes, including septicemia, neonatal deaths, infertility, etc. In this study, we aim to explore patterns of care-seeking of maternal health services by recently delivered women (RDW) in semi-urban Karachi, Pakistan. Insights of this study will help in identifying and addressing the barriers in care-seeking to minimize delay to improve clinical outcomes.

Methods

We conducted 32 semi-structured qualitative interviews with RDW with PP sepsis, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), health care pr

SUBMITTER: Hirani F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12004814 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature