Exploring barriers to accessing healthcare services for older indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tract, Bangladesh

Md. Sohrab Hossen; Md. Salman Sohel; Gazi Abu Horaira; Md Aminul Haque Laskor; Asia Binta Amanat Sumi; Srima Chowdhury; Sima Aktar; Md. Khaled Sifullah; Md. Fouad Hossain Sarker; Md. Sohrab Hossen; Md. Salman Sohel; Gazi Abu Horaira; Md Aminul Haque Laskor; Asia Binta Amanat Sumi; Srima Chowdhury; Sima Aktar; Md. Khaled Sifullah; Md. Fouad Hossain Sarker

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2023047

AIMS Public Health

2023, Volume 10, Issue 3: 678-697. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2023047

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Research article

Exploring barriers to accessing healthcare services for older indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tract, Bangladesh

1.
James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2.
Department of Development Studies, Daffodil International University, Dhaka–1216, Bangladesh
3.
Ghazali Shafie Graduate School of Government, University Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
4.
Department of Geography and Environment, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
5.
Department of International Business, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
6.
Faculty of Business Administration, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
7.
Eden Mahila College, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Received: 15 April 2023 Revised: 08 July 2023 Accepted: 19 July 2023 Published: 10 August 2023

We aim to investigate the obstacles faced by elderly indigenous individuals in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh when accessing healthcare services. A qualitative research approach was utilized, and data collection was carried out in three distinct regions of the aforementioned area. A total of 30 in-depth, semi-structured interviews and participant observations were conducted to achieve the research objectives. Thematic analysis utilizing both a deductive and inductive approach was employed to analyze the data. The Granheim method and Nvivo-12 software were utilized to process, analyze and code the data. The study's findings indicate that a lack of knowledge about healthcare needs, geographical barriers, poor financial conditions, higher cost of medical services, scarcity of hospitals nearby and communication barriers all contribute to inadequate access to healthcare services. By recognizing the factors that impede access to healthcare services in this region, this study offers valuable insight for policymakers and healthcare providers on how to enhance healthcare services for the indigenous population, especially the elderly. Furthermore, the government can adopt a more efficient approach to include these elderly individuals in various social safety net programs.
- healthcare access,
- older,
- indigenous,
- Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT),
- Bangladesh
Citation: Md. Sohrab Hossen, Md. Salman Sohel, Gazi Abu Horaira, Md Aminul Haque Laskor, Asia Binta Amanat Sumi, Srima Chowdhury, Sima Aktar, Md. Khaled Sifullah, Md. Fouad Hossain Sarker. Exploring barriers to accessing healthcare services for older indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tract, Bangladesh[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2023, 10(3): 678-697. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2023047

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Abstract

We aim to investigate the obstacles faced by elderly indigenous individuals in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh when accessing healthcare services. A qualitative research approach was utilized, and data collection was carried out in three distinct regions of the aforementioned area. A total of 30 in-depth, semi-structured interviews and participant observations were conducted to achieve the research objectives. Thematic analysis utilizing both a deductive and inductive approach was employed to analyze the data. The Granheim method and Nvivo-12 software were utilized to process, analyze and code the data. The study's findings indicate that a lack of knowledge about healthcare needs, geographical barriers, poor financial conditions, higher cost of medical services, scarcity of hospitals nearby and communication barriers all contribute to inadequate access to healthcare services. By recognizing the factors that impede access to healthcare services in this region, this study offers valuable insight for policymakers and healthcare providers on how to enhance healthcare services for the indigenous population, especially the elderly. Furthermore, the government can adopt a more efficient approach to include these elderly individuals in various social safety net programs.

Acknowledgments

We want to convey our appreciation to the individuals who participated in the study for sharing their poignant experiences and dedicating their time to it, which was done abruptly. Moreover, we are grateful for the important data and time given by the NGOs and GOs personnel, including officers and field workers.

Conﬂict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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