Vol. 10 No. 2 (2022)
Journal Space and Culture, India

Research

Love, Hope and Despair of Pregnant Women Living in the Slum of Sylhet City Corporation: A Study

Published 2022-09-29

  • Priyanka Bhattacharjee
    • ,
  • Samantha Ahmed

Priyanka Bhattacharjee
Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet

Samantha Ahmed
Department of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Abstract

Pregnancy is a joyous but stressful phase in every woman’s life as it takes a ten-month-long journey. Support and caring attitude from family members and others, along with regular ante-natal treatment during pregnancy, is essential for every woman because it will protect the health of the unborn baby and future mother. However, in Bangladesh, patriarchal social structure and cultural components bring unequal treatment for women even when they feel sick. So, this qualitative study was conducted to explore the experiences of pregnant women living in the slum area of Sylhet city corporation, Bangladesh. Data were collected purposively from pregnant women during gestational weeks 36–38 who came for treatment at the Urban Primary Health Care Service Delivery Center of Shimantik (NGO). Ten in-depth interviews were conducted through a semi-structured interview schedule, and then collected data were thematically analysed. Data were presented under four themes: role of husband and family members during pregnancy, challenging circumstances within and outside of the family, the reason for the adverse social concern arising and the strategies employed to deal with the hostile condition. This study recommends that there should be a professional counsellor in every maternity health clinic, especially for pregnant women, with whom they can share their personal grief and sufferings.

Keywords

Love, Hope, Despair, Pregnant Women, Slum, Sylhet City Corporation

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