Harvesting health: Indigenous mothers’ resilience in the face of climate change and maternal nutrition challenges in Rural Bajaur, Pakistan: A Study Protocol

Background: Pakistan's northernmost area Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, particularly heavy snowfall and snowstorms, which impacts women's capacity to collect food for their family as primary caretakers. The proportion of food insecurity, malnourishment and anemia increased in women. The World Health Organization (WHO) also emphasized gender, health, and climate change and offered solutions to climate change-related health issues. Climate change affects maternal, baby, and birth outcomes, increasing medical treatment needs. Research explored that extremely low temperatures during pregnancy can raise the chance of birth defects in several climate zones. Methods and findings: The study will employ a qualitative research design, utilizing in-depth interviews to gather rich and nuanced data from Indigenous mothers in the study region. To recruit participants, a purposeful sampling strategy will be used. Study Population will be from various age groups, socioeconomic levels, and geographic regions within Bajaur. The inclusion of Indigenous women's perspectives is particularly important in this context to provide culturally appropriate insights into maternal nutrition experiences under the influence of climate change. The collected data will be thematically analyzed, ensuring the findings of recurring patterns and topics connected to maternal nutrition and its issues in the face of climate change. The narratives of participants will give light on their knowledge, practices, and views of maternal nutrition, food availability, dietary patterns, and cold weather coping methods. Furthermore, the study will look into potential impediments to proper nutrition and healthcare services for Indigenous mothers during this difficult period. Discussion: This study holds implications for mother-infant health mainly because poor maternal nutrition may result in low birth weight, premature birth, and developmental issues in babies. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders can hear from climatic experiences of Indigenous mothers to sort out best solution for the cause.