Demographic characteristics, medical needs and utilisation of antenatal care among pregnant undocumented migrants living in Denmark between 2011 and 2017

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110114
Author(s):  
Julia kadin Funge ◽  
Mathilde Christine Boye ◽  
Clara Barfod Parellada ◽  
Marie Norredam

Introduction: An estimated 22,900–28,900 individuals live undocumented in Denmark, of whom many are women of reproductive age. Undocumented migrants in Denmark who are pregnant only have legal rights to health care in emergencies, which may lead to under-utilisation of antenatal care, despite the possibility of these women seeking antenatal care through informal networks. This study aimed to describe the demographics, general medical needs and prevalence of induced abortions among pregnant undocumented migrant women. Further, we aimed to investigate if the women received antenatal services as recommended, focusing on the timing of their first entry to antenatal care and the number of antenatal visits. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. We used data from medical records at a health clinic managed by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Denmark from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2017. Data regarding 679 pregnant women were included in descriptive and regression analyses. Results: The women had a mean age of 28.7 years, originated from 78 different countries and had diverse migration backgrounds. Among the 679 included women, there were 119 pregnancy-related complications. Regarding the utilisation of antenatal services, 52.6% had a late first attendance to antenatal care, and the likelihood of a late first attendance was highest among 35- to 44-year-olds. The majority (92.6%) of the women did not have the recommended number of antenatal care visits, and this was evident across all regions of origin. Logistic regression showed variation in utilisation of antenatal services according to age and region of origin. Conclusions: A quarter of the study population attended the health clinic requesting pregnancy termination. The pregnant undocumented migrants had few medical complications and predominantly attended the health clinic for antenatal care. However, some did attend the clinic with general or pregnancy-related medical conditions. Almost half of the study population had a late first attendance to antenatal care, and the vast majority did not have the recommended number of antenatal care visits. These results call for consideration as to whether health care for pregnant undocumented migrants should be formally available and free of charge.

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronel Sewpaul ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Natisha Dukhi ◽  
Derrick Sekgala ◽  
Priscilla Reddy

Abstract Background Maternal mortality among adolescent mothers in South Africa is higher than many middle-income countries. This is largely attributable to conditions that can be prevented or managed by high quality antenatal care. The way in which pregnant adolescents are treated at antenatal clinics influences their timely utilization of antenatal services. This qualitative study reports on the experiences of pregnant adolescents with health care workers when accessing antenatal care. Methods Pregnant girls aged 13–19 (n = 19) who attended public health care facilities that provide Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) services in Cape Town, South Africa were recruited. Four face to face in-depth interviews and four mini focus group discussions were undertaken, facilitated by a topic guide. Thematic analyses were used to analyse the data. Results Experiences that reinforce antenatal attendance, such as respectful and supportive treatment, were outweighed by negative experiences, such as victimization; discrimination against being pregnant at a young age; experiencing disregard and exclusion; inadequate provision of information about pregnancy, health and childbirth; clinic attendance discouragement; and mental health turmoil. Conclusions There is evidence of a discordant relationship between the health care workers and the pregnant adolescents. Adolescents feel mistreated and discriminated against by the health care workers, which in turn discourages their attendance at antenatal clinics. Maternal health care workers need to receive support and regular training on the provision of youth friendly antenatal care and be regularly evaluated, to promote the provision of fair and high quality antenatal services for adolescent girls.


Author(s):  
Antony Vincent ◽  
K. Keerthana ◽  
Damotharan K. ◽  
Ariarathinam Newtonraj ◽  
Joy Bazroy ◽  
...  

Background: Antenatal care is an important indicator in any health system. Through our study we intended to assess the perception of pregnant women regarding health seeking behaviour and awareness about complications during pregnancy. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out in August 2016, among the 41 pregnant women over 27 weeks of gestation in a rural area of south India. Women were selected randomly from the routine surveillance system maintained by Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences – Rural Health Training Centre, Chunampet, Kancheepuram District. Interviews audio recorded. After verbatim, manual coding and analysis was done based on pre decided eight themes. Results: In general all the antenatal women aware of the importance of regular antenatal check up. Knowledge regarding complications and danger sign was not adequate. Most of the women in rural area seek care in government facility due to its availability, accessibility and affordability. Decision making in health care is mostly taken by their husbands. Transportation has been identified as a barrier in seeking health care. Conclusions: Although few of the antenatal mothers in the study population were aware about some complications of pregnancy, but in general knowledge among most of the women was inadequate. There is a need for creating awareness among the antenatal mothers about common complications in pregnancy. On the other hand, the notion of routine care seeking during the antenatal period seems to be well rooted among the study population which is a very good sign. It is a good opportunity and is foundational to all other interventions relating to betterment of antenatal care in the community. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-52
Author(s):  
Myo Tun ◽  
Sauwakon Ratanawijitrasin ◽  
Darunee Phukao ◽  
Seung Chun Peak

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine women’s beliefs as influencing factors in the utilization of antenatal services. Methodology: The quantitative cross sectional survey was conducted in both rural and urban areas of three townships of Chin State. The multi-stage sampling method was used to recruit 350 women who had given birth within the past year. They were interviewed using structured questionnaires relating to their socio-demographic characteristics, beliefs about the utilization of antenatal services, and the situation of received antenatal care. The X2 values and odd ratio with a 95% of CI were calculated to find out women’s beliefs as influencing factors in the utilization of antenatal services. Findings: Among the 350 participants, the number who received antenatal care at least one time and four times were 303 (86.6%) and 222 (63.4%) respectively. There were only 98 (28.0%) who received antenatal care in first trimester. The number of women who showed awareness of life threatening risks of pregnancy was 135 (38.6%) whilst positive attitudes towards the effectiveness of antenatal care and accessibility of health care staff were 170 (48.6%) and 63 (18.0%) respectively. Women’s beliefs about the risks of pregnancy, effectiveness of antenatal care and accessibility of health care staff for antenatal care were statistically associated with the situation of receiving antenatal care at least four times and care in the first trimester but not associated with the situation of receiving at least one time. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Women in Chin State received late first antenatal care and lack of regular follow-up because of their beliefs about the utilization of antenatal services. Effective health education activities are needed to raise awareness about the utilization of antenatal services.


Author(s):  
Joseph Massenga ◽  
Rita Noronha ◽  
Bayoum Awadhi ◽  
Dunstan R. Bishanga ◽  
Oliva Safari ◽  
...  

In Tanzania, 27.1% of all women of reproductive age are currently using modern contraception and 16.8% have an unmet need for family planning. We therefore examined factors associated with family planning uptake after giving birth in two regions of Tanzania. The survey, which collected information beyond that collected in the Tanzania Demographic Health Survey, used a two-stage, stratified-cluster sampling design, conducted in April 2016 in Mara and Kagera regions in Tanzania. A total of 1184 women aged 15–49 years, who had given birth less than two years prior to the survey were included. Logistic regression mixed effect modelling was used to examine factors associated with family planning uptake. A total of 393 (33.2%) women used family planning methods and 929 (79%) required prior approval from their partners. Participation of men in utilization of maternal health care was low, where 680 (57.8%) women responded that their partners accompanied them to at least one antenatal care (ANC) counselling visit and 120 (10%) responded that their partners participated in family planning counselling. Women who did not want to disclose whether they had discussed family planning with their partners, strikingly had the highest percentage of using family planning methods after birth. Factors independently associated with family planning uptake included: having discussed family planning with the partner (aOR 3.22; 95% CI 1.99–5.21), having been counselled on family planning during antenatal care (aOR 2.68; 95% CI 1.78–4.05), having discussed family planning with a community health worker (CHW) (aOR 4.59; 95% CI 2.53–8.33) and with a facility health care worker (aOR 1.93; 95% CI 1.29–2.90), having primary or higher educational level (aOR 1.66; 95% CI 1.01–2.273), and being in union (aOR 1.86; 95% CI 1.02–3.42). Educational interaction with community and facility health workers, as well as having a supportive partner as facilitator increased uptake of family planning. This needs to be prioritized in regions with similar socio-cultural norms in Tanzania and beyond.


2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilahun Yemanu Birhan ◽  
Wullo Sisay Seretew

Abstract Background an acceptable antenatal care (ANC4+) is defined as attending at least four antenatal care visit, received at least one dose of tetanus toxoid (TT) injections and consumed 100 iron-folic acids (IFA) tablets/syrup during the last pregnancy. Since maternal health care service utilization continues to be an essential indicator for monitoring the improvements of maternal and child health outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the trends and determinants that contributed to the change in an acceptable antenatal care visit over the last 10 years in Ethiopia. Methods Nationally representative repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted using 2005, 2011, and 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey datasets. The data were weighted and analyzed by STATA 14.1 software. Multivariate decomposition regression analysis was used to identify factors that contribute for the change in an acceptable antenatal care visit. A p-value < 0.05 was taken to declare statistically significant predictors to acceptable antenatal care visit. Results among the reproductive age women the rate of an acceptable antenatal care visits was increased from 16% in 2005 to 35% in 2016 in Ethiopia. In the multivariate decomposition analysis, about 29% of the increase in acceptable antenatal care visit was due to a difference in composition of women (endowments) across the surveys. Residence, religion, husband educational attainment, and wealth status was the main source of compositional change factors for the improvements of an acceptable antenatal care visit. Almost two-thirds of an overall change in acceptable antenatal care visit was due to the difference in coefficients/ change in behavior of the population. Religion, educational attainment (both women and husband), and residence are significantly contributed to the change in full antenatal care visit in Ethiopia over the last decades. Conclusion Besides the relevance of receiving an acceptable antenatal care visit for pregnant women and their babies, an acceptable antenatal care visit was slightly increased over time in Ethiopia. Women’s characteristics and behavior change were significantly associated with the change in acceptable antenatal care visits. Public interventions needed to improve acceptable antenatal care coverage, women’s education, and further advancing of health care facilities in rural communities should be done to maintain the further improvements acceptable antenatal care visits.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasreen Begum ◽  
Mumtaz Rahman ◽  
Md Mahbubar Rahman ◽  
Shafia Khatun Nayan ◽  
Sumsun Nahar Zinia ◽  
...  

Background : Antenatal care, the care that a woman receives during pregnancy, helps to ensure healthy outcomes for mother and newborns. Utilization of antenatal care services is the basic component of maternal care on which the life of mothers and babies depend.Objectives : To find out the utilization of antenatal care services in a selected rural area in Bangladesh.Methodology : Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January to June 2014’ A total 199 married women of reproductive age who had a live baby below 5years of age, were selected purposively from village Islampur in Dhamrai Upzilla under Dhaka district. Data were collected by face to face interview using a pre-tested structured questionnaire.Result : The study revealed that 94.97% utilized ANC services among them 44.72% visited for ANC more than 4 times, 20.10% for 4 times and 30.15% less than 4 times during pregnancy. Health care centre was within walking distance. Most of them were young women aged between 23-27 years (45.72%) and 18-22 years (36.18%). Majority (33.16%) was educated up to secondary level but 83.42% were house wife. Economic status was lower economic group. Half of the respondents (52%) took ANC on their own and permission of husband and 95.97% received special care from their family during pregnancy. For birth planning 86.83% planned health provider to conduct delivery and 71.36% wanted hospital delivery. Majority (97.98%) took birth preparedness during pregnancy and 55% received antenatal care from qualified doctor. About 87% found them available on duty and good behavior was found by 70.90% respondents. Information about danger signs during pregnancy were received by 77.89% of the respondents.Conclusion : Utilization of Antenatal care service was higher in the study area. Most of the mothers had idea about benefit of ANC. Mother's education, family support, behaviour, availability of health care service provider and distance of health centre influence higher utilization. Therefore, to strengthen and intensify the ANC service at all level of health care delivery throughout the country is necessary for sustainability and targeting suboptimum ANC utilization group.Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.6(1) 2014: 25-28


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamata Sherpa Awasthi ◽  
Kiran Raj Awasthi ◽  
Harish Singh Thapa ◽  
Bhuvan Saud ◽  
Sarita Pradhan ◽  
...  

Background and Objective. Antenatal care (ANC) is one of the main components of maternal health. Utilization of safe motherhood is deprived in women who belong to low-caste groups like Dalit of Nepal. Low socioeconomic status, poor knowledge and awareness on obstetric complications, lack of decision-making autonomy, and limited health care options lead to underutilization of existing maternal health care service. The aim of this study was to ascertain the utilization of antenatal care services in terms of ANC visits with health personnel, receiving recommended period of iron tablets, consumption of antihelminthes and number of Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccines taken among child bearing women in Dalit community. Materials and Methods. Descriptive cross-sectional research design was used to conduct the study of 150 child bearing women of reproductive age (15-49 years) having at least one child up to three years of age in a Dalit community of Gorkha from March 2015 to March 2016. The data was collected from each mother by conducting face to face interview with each household by using a questionnaire. Result. The study revealed that mean age at marriage of respondents was 17.7 years and mean age at first pregnancy was 18 years. 44.6% of respondents experienced complication during last pregnancy, labour, and postpartum period in their last pregnancy. 59.3% of respondents stated that neighbors, relatives, and traditional healers were the best first contact person during health problem of women. 76.0% of respondents had attended antepartum visit during their last pregnancy whereas 24.0% of respondents did not attend any antepartum clinic. 68.3% of the mothers had consumed Iron/Folates within 45 days after delivery. Only 30.0% of respondents received antihelminthes (albendazole) while 70.0% of respondents had received TT Vaccines during their last pregnancy. Age, type of family, and education of the mothers were significantly associated with utilization of antenatal care services. Conclusion. Even though there is reasonable good utilization rate of antenatal service, the study revealed that low education and awareness among mothers, low socioeconomic condition, early marriage and pregnancy, inappropriate antenatal health check-up, and cultural taboos were significant factors affecting the satisfactory utilization of services among the Dalit community. Hence, there is a need to emphasize on raising awareness of Dalit mothers for receiving available prenatal services.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 276-284
Author(s):  
William J. Jefferson

The United States Supreme Court declared in 1976 that deliberate indifference to the serious medical needs of prisoners constitutes the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain…proscribed by the Eighth Amendment. It matters not whether the indifference is manifested by prison doctors in their response to the prisoner’s needs or by prison guards intentionally denying or delaying access to medical care or intentionally interfering with treatment once prescribed—adequate prisoner medical care is required by the United States Constitution. My incarceration for four years at the Oakdale Satellite Prison Camp, a chronic health care level camp, gives me the perspective to challenge the generally promoted claim of the Bureau of Federal Prisons that it provides decent medical care by competent and caring medical practitioners to chronically unhealthy elderly prisoners. The same observation, to a slightly lesser extent, could be made with respect to deficiencies in the delivery of health care to prisoners of all ages, as it is all significantly deficient in access, competencies, courtesies and treatments extended by prison health care providers at every level of care, without regard to age. However, the frailer the prisoner, the more dangerous these health care deficiencies are to his health and, therefore, I believe, warrant separate attention. This paper uses first-hand experiences of elderly prisoners to dismantle the tale that prisoner healthcare meets constitutional standards.


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