Perceived barriers to utilization of maternal health services in rural Cambodia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the underlying causes of Cambodian women's non-use of maternal health services provided by skilled birth attendants.


METHODS
A qualitative study of 66 reproductive-age women was conducted in Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia. Data were collected through 30 semi-structured interviews and 6 focus groups.


RESULTS
We identified 5 barriers to the utilization of maternal health services: (i) financial barriers; (ii) physical barriers; (iii) cognitive barriers; (iv) organizational barriers; and (v) psychological and socio-cultural barriers.


CONCLUSIONS
The Cambodian Ministry of Health and its development partners should take these barriers into account when promoting the use of maternal health services. These barriers should be addressed proactively. A successful approach to increasing use of maternal health services should involve changes to both service programs and public education.
Matsuoka
Sadatoshi
S
JICA Project for Improving Maternal and Child Health Services in Rural Areas in Cambodia, PO Box 613, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. sada.matsuoka@gmail.com
Aiga
Hirotsugu
H
Rasmey
Lon Chan
LC
Rathavy
Tung
T
Okitsu
Akiko
A
D002160:Cambodia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008518:Medicine, East Asian Traditional; D008880:Midwifery / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel