Evaluation of difficulties and reproductive health issues faced by flood-affected pregnant women in refugee camps

Abstract

Natural disasters jeopardize routine life, including health care system. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the difficulties faced by flood-affected pregnant women in refugee camps of the Hyderabad region of Pakistan.

This study was conducted from October 2022 to September 2023. A field survey was done as part of quantitative research to find women affected by catastrophe who were residing in shelter camps. The primary data collection took place close to Jamshoro, Kotri and Hyderabad City in the regions where temporary flood-relief shelters were constructed and flood affected pregnant ladies referred to tertiary care (Countess Lady Duffirin Fund) Hospital with reproductive health issues e.g. high risk pregnancies for antenatal care, correction of anemia, control of blood pressure and diabetes, normal vaginal deliveries and emergency or elective caesarean sections. Eight hundred thirty-two patients were recruited, including 69.2% aged 15 – 25 years old, 44.2% with 2nd trimester of gestational age. All patients complained about unavailability of transportation, complained about the provision of medicine (62%), antenatal care (3.8%) disposable waste (3.8%), clean water supply (3.8%) and provision of food (19.2%). Women in relief camps face multifactorial problems which adversely affect their health including reproductive health.