https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5141-1107
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Abstract
More than 115 million women across the world are borrowers of microfinance loans. However, there is concern that women from poor backgrounds who take loans may suffer from multiple challenges of physical and mental health burdens. In this qualitative study we aimed to identify the types of health challenges faced by active women borrowers of microfinance loans. Open ended questions were asked from 442 women across seven cities and four provinces of Pakistan. Categories were developed through the content analysis approach using NVIVO. We have been able to identify thirteen different health challenges faced by poor women borrowers under two broad headings of “environmental factors” and “healthcare delivery system.” We recommend the introduction and expansion of different health and social development services by microfinance provider’s to support the health needs of poor women clients. Women also need support from the Government of Pakistan in improving access to education, health coverage, and formal sector work opportunities. Our study implies increased health policy support for disadvantaged women borrowers of microfinance across the world.
Acknowledgments
We are deeply grateful to the women borrowers who gave time to participate in this study and shared their experiences so generously. We are also grateful to our research team members: Dr Humna Ahsan, Rizwan Haider, Amir Naseem, Nida Abbas, Zainab Asif, Hina Bukhari, Sadia BiBi, Ansari Abbass, Azra Shakeel, Shumaila Sadique, Javaria Imran, and Bilal Asghar.
Notes
1 Pakistan Rupees (PKR) for this paper have been converted to US Dollars (USD) at the official exchange rate as at November ending 2018, which was 1 USD = PKR 138.92; source: https://www.exchange-rates.org/Rate/USD/PKR/11-30-2018.