Beyond access: UK maternity care, experiences of West African mothers

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Beyond Access: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Maternal Healthcare for Second Generation West African Women in the UK.

• IRAS ID

  334785

• Contact name

  Edith Dei-Anane

• Contact email

  e.dei-anane1@lancaster.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Lancaster University

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  not applicable , not applicable

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 6 months, 28 days

• Research summary

  Maternal health research in the UK has shown that women from ethnic minority backgrounds have a higher risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, with Black women being particularly affected. Available data shows that Black women are four times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women. Research into pregnancy outcomes have mainly been focused on first-generation ethnic minority women who have migrated to the UK, but second generation ethnic minority women make up a significant proportion of mothers giving birth in the country. Recent research has shown that there is no significant difference in the number of women who die during pregnancy or childbirth when comparing ethnic minority women who have migrated to the UK and second-generation ethnic minority women born in the UK.
  This study aims to explore the experiences of second generation ethnic minority women of West African descent in the UK as they access maternal health services. The study will use a qualitative approach called Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) i.e., trying to understand the experiences of these women from their own viewpoint. Eight to ten women of second generation West African background would be invited to take part in the study through poster adverts in local maternity units, children centres and third sector organisations such as churches and childbirth charities in the North-West Region of England. The women who agree to participate in the study will be interviewed individually and the information they provide will be examined to explore their experiences as they access maternal health services. This will help us to better understand the experiences of these women and to develop policies that address their specific needs.
  

• REC name

  London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  24/LO/0454

• Date of REC Opinion

  13 Aug 2024

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion