RHCC intervention: strengthening the delivery and coverage of sexual and reproductive health care during floods in Bangladesh
International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare
ISSN: 2056-4902
Article publication date: 6 May 2021
Issue publication date: 25 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The quality and availability of sexual and reproductive health care are key determinants to reducing maternal mortalities and morbidities in disaster settings; yet, these services are often lacking in developing countries. Reducing maternal mortality and morbidity is currently the main targets of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3. The purpose of this study was to develop an intervention package called RHCC (Reproductive Health Kit 8; Capacity building; Community awareness), and to implement and evaluate it in three primary health-care (PHC) facilities in Belkuchi, Bangladesh, in order to improve the quality and availability of post-abortion care (PAC) during the 2017 floods.
Design/methodology/approach
This research used both quantitative and qualitative methods to develop, implement and assess the RHCC in three flood-prone PHC facilities in Belkuchi.
Findings
The RHCC was implemented during the floods of 2017. The findings pre- and post-intervention suggest it led to an increase in skilled management among health workers, an increase in the quality of care for clients and the availability of PAC at three PHC facilities during floods.
Originality/value
Due to its geographic location, Bangladesh is exposed to recurrent floods and cyclones. Evidence-based integrated intervention packages, such as the RHCC, can improve the quality and availability of reproductive health care during disasters at PHC level and, in doing so, can promote the UN’s agenda on “disaster resilient health system” to achieve the SDG 3, and the WHO’s campaign on universal health coverage.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
International Planned Parenthood Federation.
Citation
Ray-Bennett, N.S., Corsel, D.M.J., Goswami, N. and Bhuiyan, M.H. (2021), "RHCC intervention: strengthening the delivery and coverage of sexual and reproductive health care during floods in Bangladesh", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 327-347. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-11-2020-0098
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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