ADJUSTING STRATEGIES OF ELDERLY BANGLADESHI WOMEN LIVING IN RURAL AREAS FACING WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS; A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Many local studies in Bangladesh confirm that women especially the older ones women continue to receive fewer health services than men in spite of the fact that they suffer more from health problems. The purpose of this study is to explore strategies used by older women to adjust with their illness. This study was undertaken to address this gap in our understanding of health behavior especially in Bangladesh. Qualitative methods were used to collect data from 18 older women age from 60 years and above, living in Tawakkul village, Gowainghat Union, P.S. Gowainghat, Sylhet district, Bangladesh in July 2013. A phenomenological analysis revealed that participants utilized both emotion-focused and problem-focused strategies and that many of these were faith-based. We concluded that the health policy makers and development agencies in rural Bangladesh, where faith-based practices are pervasive need to acknowledge these beliefs, practices and incorporate them into the health care delivery system, if better health outcomes are to be achieved for older women especially living in rural areas.