COVID-19 and the Pakhtun pregnant women

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This exploratory study aims to explore the Pakhtun pregnant women’s experiences/issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: This research is based on interviews. Findings: This research found that plummeting medical services pose not only serious health risks to the Pakhtun women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) but expose them to social and cultural challenges resulting in severe mental health issues. This study also found that the policies adopted by the Government of Pakistan for tackling COVID-19 completely threw off track basic health services that both men and women require in times of health emergencies. Originality/value This paper is 100% original research based on an exploratory study. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.