Maternal Health Care Seeking Behaviour of Latin American Women in the Czech healthcare system

• Thesis title in Czech: Chování žen z Latinské Ameriky při vyhledávání mateřské zdravotní péče v českém systému zdravotnictví
• Thesis title in English: Maternal Health Care Seeking Behaviour of Latin American Women in the Czech healthcare system
• Key words: české porodnictví; perinatální péče; migrace; Latinská Amerika; health seeking behavior
• English key words: Czech obstetrics; maternal care; migration; Latin America; health seeking behaviour
• Academic year of topic announcement: 2024/2025
• Thesis type: diploma thesis
• Thesis language: angličtina
• Department: Department of Public and Social Policy (23-KVSP)
• Supervisor: Ing. Zuzana Kotherová, Ph.D.
• Author: hidden - assigned by the advisor
• Date of registration: 24.06.2025
• Date of assignment: 24.06.2025

References

Andersen, R., & Newman, J. F. (1973). Societal and individual determinants of medical care utilization in the United States. Milbank Memorial Fund Quarterly. Health and Society, 51(1), 95–124. https://doi.org/10.2307/3349613
Berrocal, E. (2020). Latin American immigrant mothers in Spain: Perceived challenges and opportunities. Corvinus Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 11(1), 3–21. https://doi.org/10.14267/CJSSP.2020.1.1
DOBIÁŠOVÁ, Karolína. (2016). Dostupnost zdravotní péče pro migranty ze třetích zemí v České republice. Disertační práce. Univerzita Karlova, Fakulta sociálních věd.
Gurman, T. A., & Becker, D. (2008). Factors affecting Latina immigrants’ perceptions of maternal health care: findings from a qualitative study. Health Care for Women International, 29(5), 507–526. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399330801949608
Hrešanová, E., & Glajchová, A. (2018). Staré a cizí: Zranitelnost a intersekcionalita ve zdravotní péči. Gender a výzkum / Gender and Research, 19(2), 75–101. https://doi.org/10.13060/25706578.2018.19.2.427
Rugumisa, B. (2024). Cultural Influences on Labor and Delivery Practices. InTechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1007187

Preliminary scope of work in English

Topic, contribution and theoretical background
Social science research on Czech obstetrics has been neglected so far, especially in the context of migration. Although there is research on the experiences of migrant women (Hrešanová, Glajchová, 2018), a deeper focus on specific ethnic groups is lacking.

This thesis will therefore focus on maternal health care seeking behavior (MHSB) of women from Latin America in the Czech maternity care system. MHSB encompasses decisions and behavior of pregnant women related to seeking antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. It is the result of the interaction of various factors and is key to maternal health. Andersen's and Newman's theory of health seeking behavior will allow me to understand the factors influencing MHSB of this group of women.

The topic of the work is very relevant: childbirth is the most common reason for migrant women to enter the healthcare system, often the first contact with it (Dobiášová, 2016), and the number of children born to foreign mothers in Czechia is increasing. Although precise data on Latin American mothers are lacking, their cultural context (e.g. traditional practices, the role of midwives, the importance of family - Rugumisa, 2024) contrasts with the Czech biomedical approach. Foreign research (cf. Berrocal, 2020) also shows that Latin American migrant women abroad often face discrimination and cultural barriers, which leads to poorer use of maternal care. This minority has not yet been studied in detail in the Czech environment, which represents an opportunity to fill a research gap.


Objective
The objective is to understand maternal health care seeking behavior (MHSB) of Latin American women in Czechia, identify its key determinants, and develop recommendations for more inclusive care in the Czech maternity system. To achieve this objective, these research questions were formulated:

How do Latin American women's expectations influence their MHSB in Czechia?
How do their lived experiences with Czech perinatal care affect this behavior?
What barriers and facilitators do they encounter when accessing perinatal care?
What improvements can enhance the cultural sensitivity and accessibility of maternity care for this group?

Methods
To achieve the stated objective, a qualitative methodology will be used, specifically individual semi-structured interviews with ideally 10 women from Latin America who have experienced pregnancy, childbirth or postnatal care in Czechia in the last five years. This method will allow comparability, flexibility and an intimate atmosphere suitable for a sensitive topic. The final sample size and characteristics could be adjusted based on availability.
The interviews will be conducted in Spanish, which eliminates the language barrier. I consider myself familiar with Latin American culture. However, to enhance understanding and cultural sensitivity, I can invite my thesis consultant Fiorella Iturrino Vilchez, a doctoral student in this department, whose dissertation research is focused on Peruvian obstetrics.
The interviews will be transcribed and thematically analysed to identify factors influencing MHSB. For the thesis, relevant excerpts will be translated into English.