A Social Equity Lens on Maternal Health Outcomes: Developing a Conceptual Framework

This article proposes a comprehensive conceptual framework for analyzing the impact of social equity interventions specifically health provision, civic education, and legislative action on maternal health outcomes in Bugiri District, Eastern Uganda. Anchored in the Social Determinants of Health Theory (Marmot & Allen, 2010), the Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, 1974), and Health Equity Theory (Braveman & Gruskin, 2003), the framework systematically explicates the multi-level mechanisms through which socioeconomic, educational, infrastructural, and policy-driven interventions shape maternal health indicators, including maternal mortality and morbidity, neonatal and infant mortality, preterm birth, low birth weight, and delivery-related complications. Integrating intervening variables such as community engagement and institutional capacity, the model reflects the nuanced, context-specific dynamics illuminated by the researcher’s empirical investigations. By synthesizing theoretical and empirical insights, the framework provides an advanced analytical tool for scholars and policymakers seeking to design, implement, and evaluate equity-oriented strategies aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in low-resource settings.