Exploring barriers to accessing maternal and family planning services in ethnic minority communities in Vietnam

OVERVIEW

The research team at the University of Toronto, together with Mekong Development Research Institute in Vietnam, will conduct a study to identify barriers to and social determinants of maternal health care and FP service utilization among ethnic minority women in various living conditions and multiple geographic areas in two regions selected by the Vietnam Ministry of Health and UNFPA.

The conceptual framework developed by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) set up by the WHO will be used to guide the potential factors that act as barriers to maternal health and FP service utilization. The quantitative component of the study will provide data on determinants of maternal health care and FP service uptake with respect to socioeconomic position (e.g., ethnicity, education, income), whereas the qualitative components will focus on the cultural and societal values that influence health care and FP service utilization. The quantitative and qualitative data sets will complement each other by addressing different but overlapping barriers to health care utilization.

This study will provide unique data on the coverage, scope and practice of maternal health care and FP service utilization in 60 remote regions. It will also highlight important gaps in services and practice that must be addressed, and contribute to a growing body of literature examining health care delivery to ethnic minority populations.