South Asian women's views on and experiences of maternity care services in Hong Kong: A qualitative study

Background: Health disparities among ethnic minority and migrant women can lead to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study explores the maternity care experiences of South Asian women in Hong Kong, providing insights for woman-centred and culturally responsive care in the East Asia. Objective: To understand South Asian women's views and experiences regarding maternity care services in Hong Kong. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 20 English-speaking South Asian women who had used maternity care services in Hong Kong within the past 5 years. Data were analysed by thematic analysis. Findings: Four themes were identified: 1) Comparing maternity care services in their home country versus Hong Kong; birth location, mode of birth and care. 2) Navigating Hong Kong maternal medical care system; including private public dual care and learning information from other South Asians. 3) The discrepancy in perception of optimum care; including a preferring for assistance with daily tasks, epidural anaesthesia, doctor-led care, and priority to infants’ health. 4) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternity care experiences, including the cancellation of translation services and limited visiting hours. Discussion: South Asian appreciate Hong Kong's public maternity services due to its perceived greater cost-effectiveness. The major incongruence between expectations and services provided being women-staff communication. Conclusion: The quality of healthcare in Hong Kong is appreciated. Individualized care should be offered to cater to diverse needs. Improvements in staff attitude and provision of detailed information should help alleviate feelings of differential treatment.