Cameroonian Women’s Perceptions of their Health Care Needs

Abstract

Twenty-six Cameroonian women responded to a structured interview which explored their perceptions about (1) whether health care is a human right (2) measures that impact their health positively and negatively and (3) what supportive resources are available to them. Findings of this qualitative study show that respondents didn’t consider health care as their human right. Generally they worried about their health and recognized many factors that threatened their health, yet placed the burden for maintaining their health almost exclusively upon themselves. Some could not rely on family and community members and did not see government health care services as an available or comprehensive option. The authors hope that this article alerts both society and the women themselves to the importance of women’s health concerns and their right to health care.