STUDY OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF MATERNAL HEALTH AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN RURAL FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of social variables on maternal health outcomes in rural Faisalabad, Pakistan. The study employs a quantitative research technique to analyze the influence of variables including income, education, housing circumstances, and social support networks on maternal health behaviors and outcomes. A sample of 150 participants was obtained by stratified random sampling to guarantee representation across diverse socioeconomic and demographic groups. The data, gathered via structured questionnaires, were analyzed using SPSS to produce descriptive statistics.The results indicate substantial correlations between income levels and access to maternity healthcare, educational attainment and mother health literacy, housing conditions and overall maternal well-being, as well as the influence of social support networks on maternal health outcomes. Social support emerged as a crucial determinant of both mental and physical health during gestation and parturition. These findings emphasize the inequities encountered by rural communities in obtaining effective maternal healthcare and reinforce the necessity for focused public health initiatives. Policymakers and health practitioners can mitigate these gaps by tackling the socioeconomic determinants that contribute to maternal health inequities in rural Faisalabad.