AUTHOR=Chanda Sanjoy Kumar , McHugh Gretl A. , Horne Maria 

TITLE=Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing and Using Maternal Healthcare Services by Women Living in Rural Bangladesh: A Theory-Guided Narrative Literature Review

JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews

VOLUME=Volume 46 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2025.1608157

DOI=10.3389/phrs.2025.1608157

ISSN=2107-6952

ABSTRACT=ObjectiveTo identify and synthesize the barriers and facilitators to accessing and using maternal healthcare (MHC) services by women living in rural Bangladesh.MethodsA structured literature search was conducted using six databases in 2024. Studies were synthesized using a thematic approach, underpinned by the Social-Ecological Model.ResultsSearches returned 3,619 studies, of which 37 were included in this review. Findings related to barriers and facilitators were categorized into four themes: individual, family, social and community, and organizational levels. Key barriers to accessing and using MHC services included illiteracy, lack of family support, cultural taboo to pregnancy disclosure, distance to health facilities, and lack of quality services. Key facilitators to accessing and using MHC services were higher literacy levels, family support, NGO support and mass media exposure, and free healthcare services.ConclusionBased on the findings of the review, to improve Bangladeshi women’s access to and use of MHC services, improvements in women’s literacy levels, village roads, family support, and service-related skills of healthcare providers are necessary.