The Barriers to Maternal Health Care: A View of Disparities in Southwest Asia Through The Three Delays

Regions in Southwest Asia are experiencing simple obstacles in their ability to receive healthcare services. Vulnerable populations, such as individuals in need of maternal health care, are experiencing specific delays in obtaining medical care that can contribute to Southwest Asia’s maternal mortality rate. This paper will utilize the Three Delay Model (3DM) to address the relationship between indirect factors in receiving care and socioeconomic factors, such as community, income, and education, present for women in South Asian countries. Each delay will be further explained in its relationship to socioeconomic factors and resulting outcomes on maternal health. Further exploration will be conducted on how the three delays in receiving medical care and social factors present for this population can explain negative maternal health outcomes in this region.