Reproductive health beliefs and perceptions among slum women in Bangladesh: is this a challenge to MDG5 health goal?

This study investigates the reproductive health beliefs and perceptions among rural indigenous women and the reasons for accessing to traditional healers (TH) and spiritual healers (SH) for reproductive health services. Data was collected by means of in-depth one-to-one interviews with eight samples of Meherchondi, Rajshahi in Bangladesh, using snowball sampling technique. This study finds three dominant themes-a strong belief in TH, influence of family members, and traditional belief; and develops three frameworks including the belief themes and reasons, the belief-poverty framework, and factors influencing the decision to access rural health care clinics.