Investigating Factors Leading to Poor Maternal & Birth Outcomes among Black Women to Inform a Culturally Competent & Accessible Care Perinatal Pathway.
Reducing inequalities in maternal health care is a national priority for healthcare providers, NHS, advocacy groups and policy makers, with reports highlighting repeated failings of maternity services in England. The “Saving Lives, Improving Mother’s Care” report by MBBRACE-UK published in October 2023 suggested that Black women had the worst maternal outcomes being nearly four times more at risk of dying in pregnancy and are three times more likely to commit suicide during the perinatal period. The purpose of this study is to explore the social, cultural and economic factors that impact the experiences of Black women in obstetric care during the perinatal period and propose a culturally competent healthcare community and accessible care pathway based on their experiences. The ultimate goal of the PhD is to gain an understanding of how to overcome health disparities that Black women encounter and improve maternal and birth outcomes. The project will consist of 2 distinct phases across its duration that encompass data collection and analysis using mainly qualitative research methods taking into account the Theoretical Domain Framework and the Participatory Asset Mapping toolkit. From this, an inclusive care pathway will be proposed outlining opportunities and assets to improve existing care, create a supportive healthcare community who is culturally competent with care being accessible by understanding the social, economic, health and cultural factors that impact Black women during the perinatal period.