Maternal Continuum of Care among Homeless Women: Does Community Health Workers and Non-Government Organisation’s Involvement Matter?

Margubur Rahaman, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

Despite growing literature on homeless women's health, maternal healthcare research remains limited. This study addresses the gap by examining maternal Continuum of Care (CoC) among homeless women in India. The study is based on primary cross-sectional survey data from Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), India’s topmost homeless women populated urban center. Descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic regression, and interaction analyses were used. Only 25% of homeless women utilized maternal CoC, with beggars and floating homeless women showing particularly low utilization. Counseling by Community Health Workers (CHWs) and routine NGO contact emerged as positive factors in CoC utilization. A combined effect of CHWs and NGOs significantly increased the likelihood of maternal CoC use. Variations in utilization were also observed based on migration status, floating living conditions, and antenatal health status. The study highlights critical gaps in maternal CoC among homeless women in India, with CHWs and NGOs playing key roles in improving access. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, including expanded CHW and NGO efforts and tailored outreach programs. Urgent policy reforms are necessary to provide adequate shelter and healthcare to the urban poor, ensuring that all women, regardless of their living conditions, have access to maternal health services.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Migrant Populations and Refugees, Health and Morbidity, The Demography of Indigenous Populations

See paper.