Masters of Public Health Candidate New York University Brooklyn, New York, United States
Full Description: The goal of this study was to understand the barriers to healthcare for women in Kroo Bay slums, and the effects these barriers have on health outcomes. This study conducted community surveys, community interviews and focus groups to determine the primary barriers to healthcare for women in the Kroo Bay slums community. The community surveys were administered to 100-120 Kroo Bay women and data was collected on the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, community disease burden, environmental characteristics, health care access and quality, and maternal health. The community interviews alongside the focus groups promoted in depth understanding of barriers to quality healthcare for Kroo Bay women and resulted in participants discussing solutions to their community barriers that were achievable given the resources available to their community. This study yield (potential) solutions to barriers proposed by Kroo Bay women by encouraging these women to propose community-based contextually relevant solutions they or other parties could potentially implement. This study looked at current and past healthcare practices in Kroo Bay slums in terms of healthcare quality, delivery, and access to inform future changes to Kroo Bay health infrastructure and provide evidence for health interventions and public policy.
This study conducted a quantitative anonymous survey of ~100 Kroo Bay women. This survey asked residents a series of questions to understand their personal, household, and community dynamics, collected data on the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, community disease burden, environmental characteristics, health care access and quality, and maternal health.
This study conducted 15 surveys of community stakeholders (men and women) living in Kroo Bay Slums that included health care providers, community leaders, ambulance drivers, physicians, etc. to provide a comprehensive view of barriers to health.
After the qualitative and quantitative analysis were conducted and major barriers/ themes determined, 2 focus groups will be held. One focus group for women ages 18-34 and the other for women 35+ to understand the depth of these barriers and allow for targeted probing. Following the introductory activity, the group facilitator ask each group which of the following themes is most important and why: community disease burden, environmental characteristics, health care access and quality, and maternal health. The facilitator also asked which of these themes is least important and why. Lastly, the facilitator asked what resources available in the community can be used to solve community challenges and how this can be done. identify their barriers to health care delivery and possible community-based solutions for these barriers.
