Poverty during pregnancy as a health inequality: pregnant women’s experiences in accessing primary health services

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive healthcare services -encompassing medical, nutritional, and psychosocial support provided by primary healthcare professionals- are crucial for safeguarding maternal and fetal health. High-quality healthcare provided during the preconception and pregnancy phases positively influences the postpartum process. However, due to economic constraints, not all pregnant women have equal access to primary healthcare services, leading to challenging conditions throughout their pregnancies. METHODS: This study aimed to explore the experiences of pregnant women living below the poverty line in accessing primary healthcare services. Adopting a phenomenological qualitative design and using purposive sampling, 19 pregnant women living under the poverty threshold in Turkey were recruited, and in-depth telephone interviews were conducted. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was followed. RESULTS: The data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Four main themes emerged: personal and cultural differences, income disparity, healthcare service delivery, and regional disparities. Participants highlighted barriers such as transportation costs, inability to afford prescribed medications, and negative interactions with healthcare staff in public institutions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that to improve the adequacy, quality, and inclusiveness of primary healthcare services in Turkey, socioeconomic and regional inequalities must be minimized, and service delivery models should be diversified to meet the needs of vulnerable populations.