Disasters. 2025 Oct;49(4):e70001. doi: 10.1111/disa.70001.
ABSTRACT
The global refugee crisis places significant pressure on host communities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Social cohesion and trust between refugee and host communities are critical for maternal health service utilisation. This study explores the relationship between host-refugee trust, social cohesion, and maternal health service use in Bangladesh and Kenya, focusing on facility-based delivery, antenatal care visits, and postnatal care attendance. To do so, a cross-sectional survey was administered among 649 refugee/displaced women and 371 host community women in the two locations. The results show high trust levels in both groups, while social cohesion is greater among refugee/displaced women. A higher social cohesion score is significantly associated with increased odds of attending four or more PNC appointments (adjusted odds ratio: 1.03; 95 per cent confidence interval: 1.01-1.05). Strengthening social cohesion may enhance maternal health service utilisation, especially postnatal care, in refugee-hosting settings, underlining the need for interventions fostering community bonds.
PMID:40751290 | DOI:10.1111/disa.70001
