PUBLIC PERCEPTION REGARDING ACCEPTABILITY PROBLEMS IN UTILIZATION OF MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES IN PAKHTOON SOCIETY WITH REFERENCE TO DIR LOWER

Abstract

The study was conducted in Dir lower with specialreference to public perception regarding hurdles in utilization ofmaternal health services. The sample size of the study was 186respondents, who were selected randomly. The data wasanalyzed through simple percentage and frequencies, while tosee association between independent variable acceptabilityproblems with dependent variable maternal health. Womenconfronted acceptability issue in availing maternal healthservices like; women are not encouraged to visit maternal healthcenter, people fear of disclosing of privacy, discouragement ofLady health workers, strict purdah system, unable to decide childbirth, child birth by traditional birth attendant and lack ofeducation about antenatal and post-natal care, duringpregnancy, childbirth and after birth. Due to cultural norms likepurdah, women are not permitted to utilize maternal health careduring pregnancy due to fear of disclosure of privacy, theyperform domestic, Lady health workers are not encouraged tofacilitate women during pregnancy, inability to decide childbirth and preferring child birth at home by traditional birthattendant are the problems in shape of acceptability. Massmedia, religious, political leaders, civil society should createawareness regarding maternal health issues to overcome thedegraded maternal health situation.