Title: African immigrants women and pregnancy-related death at high increase
Abstract:
Introduction: Limited research has been conducted on the maternal health experiences of African immigrant women, their access to healthcare services, fear of deportation, and the impact of language and cultural barriers on maternal health. This study examined the maternal health experiences of African immigrant women’s utilization of health services in New York City. Pregnancy-related death is at increment in African immigrants in the form of preeclampsia and maternal hemorrhage and it is an obstetric nightmare, Open prosperity mediations have to be executed in the improvement of African immigrant women’s affluence care utilization hones, through required thriving conditions and custom-made care, which will be disentangled to positive maternal encounters.
Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted in New York City within the three boroughs –Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx with 200 African immigrants from specific Countries Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Togo and Ethiopia who were pregnant, just delivered and/ or currently pregnant as the inclusive criteria specified. Data were collected through structured questionnaire using “The Population-based Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System survey to explore self-reported utilization of preconception prenatal, postpartum healthcare and potential exploratory pathways.
Results: The outcomes of the study are delineated based on a combination of personal and situational factors that impact the utilization of healthcare services by African immigrant women residing in New York City. At an individual level, facilitating elements for accessing maternal healthcare for these women encompassed possessing means of transportation, base levels of health literacy, and receiving assistance from that familial network. Conversely, at a contextual level, the presence of interpreter and female healthcare professionals as pivotal determinants.
Conclusion: While maternal hemorrhage is rampant and commonly kept in check; a susceptibility to preeclampsia is higher in these women than in other black and brown groups. The role of pregnancy and childbirth in overall health is explored by exploring the obstetric challenges faced by women. To address these discrepancies, initiatives were implemented to collaborate with community entities within immigrant populations to formulate strategies that bolster healthcare utilization and to enhance the availability and qualifications for public health insurance pre and post pregnancy.
