Health Care Rights of Bahraini Women: A Study
Reported, December 15, 2011
The area of womens health needs to be considered as womens demands for unique health care services increase, especially in regard to chronic illness, presently a challenge for the health care system. There are more demands on health centers and
comprehensive health services for women throughout their life span.Connected to the provision of services, but also as a reflection of the traditional role in society, Bahraini women lack involvement in planning health care services and health policies, and there is
limited research and literature regarding womens health. Mukhaimer (2010) examined the perceived and actual health status, health practices, and needs of Bahraini women aged 18 to 64 in a sample of 258 women selected from local health centers. The
perceived health status scores for Bahraini women were similar to other Arabian populations, but different from the population of the United States. Obesity, anemia, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension were identified as the most common womens
health problems in Bahrain. 70% of the women were overweight or obese, and the number of chronic conditions they had was a significant determinant of their health status. Furthermore, they did not make use of preventive services in any great numbers:
only 16% received mammograms, and 31% received Pap smears.
Despite the concern for chronic and lifestyle-related diseases, the health statistics in Bahrain indicate some positive changes. Maternal mortality rates decreased significantly to 14 cases per 100.000 births, according to 2001 statistics. The rate of women receiving pregnancy health care services in centers, and government and private hospitals was 69%.97% of births occurred in equipped centers and hospitals, and doctors and midwives handled 94% of them. Maternal mortality during childbirth is considered to be very low, at 0.22 per 100 births. The number of health centers in various regions of the Kingdom rose to 22. They provide women with free services in family planning and reproductive health. Medical care, including primary health, maternity services, and
mother care are freely available in government hospitals and health centers.One outcome of these improvements to womens health care is that the average life expectancy for women at delivery increased to over 76.3 years in (2003).
Credits: Fakir Al Gharaibeh
More Information at:
http://www.bridgew.edu/soas/jiws/Vol12_no3/7_Fakir.pdf