scholarly journals Health care seeking behaviour of women during pregnancy in rural south India: a qualitative study

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 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272199689
Author(s):  
Shewangizaw Hailemariam ◽  
Wubetu Agegnehu ◽  
Misganaw Derese

Introduction: Evidences suggest a significant decline in maternal health service uptake following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Ethiopia. However, COVID-19 related factors impacting the service uptake are not sufficiently addressed. Hence, the current study was intended to explore COVID-19 related factors influencing antenatal care service uptake in rural Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based qualitative study was conducted from September 25/2020 to November 25/2020 among selected pregnant women residing in rural districts of Bench-Sheko Zone, and healthcare providers working in the local health care facilities. Six focus group discussions and 9 in-depth interviews were made between pregnant women, and health care providers, respectively. Data was collected by health education and behavioral science professionals who also have experience in qualitative data collection procedure. Data were transcribed, translated, and analyzed thematically using Open Code 4.0 software. Result: The study revealed several COVID-19 related factors influencing the uptake of antenatal care service during the pandemic. Health facility related barriers, perceived poor quality of care during the pandemic, government measures against COVID-19, anxiety related to the pandemic, and risk minimization were the identified factors possibly influencing the current antenatal care service uptake among women in rural Bench-Sheko Zone. Conclusion: COVID-19 preventive measures, and health facility related factors and individual factors were responsible for the current decline in antenatal care service uptake. Preserving essential health care service is critical to prevent avoidable losses of maternal and child lives during the pandemic period. Hence, programs and strategies designed to maintain maternal health services particularly, antenatal care service have better take the above determinants into consideration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 569-575
Author(s):  
Lucia Drigo ◽  
Masane Luvhengo ◽  
Rachel T. Lebese ◽  
Lufuno Makhado

Background: Pregnant woman’s personal experience of antenatal care services can either be positive or negative; however, knowledge and experience appear to be of paramount importance in shaping their attitudes towards any healthcare-related services. This implies that women's experience of antenatal care services may affect their decision for seeking antenatal care in their present pregnancy, which can lead them to delay seeking care. Purpose: This study sought to explore the attitudes of pregnant women towards antenatal care services provided in primary health care facilities of Mbombela Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative exploratory descriptive study design was used for this study. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample pregnant women who fail to attend antenatal services as expected. Data were collected through face to face unstructured in-depth interview. A total of eighteen pregnant women participated in the study until data saturation. Data were analysed using Tech’s method of analysis. Results: Results revealed the following theme and sub-themes: Attitudes of pregnant women related to individual perceptions, perceived barriers to utilizing antenatal care services,’ attitudes of healthcare providers, long waiting times in healthcare facilities, lack privacy and confidentiality in healthcare facilities and attitudes of pregnant women related to attendance of antenatal services. Conclusion: Attitudes of pregnant women about antenatal care are shaped by their knowledge and previous encounters with the health care services that they had previously received. It is therefore important to provide women-friendly services. It is recommended that health education regarding the importance of antenatal care services must be given to all women daily in the waiting areas of each primary health care facilities, thus, the healthcare providers should promote the active participation of pregnant women during the health education sessions and provide opportunities to ask questions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahimeh Mehrabi ◽  
Najva Ahmaripour ◽  
Sara Jalali-Farahani ◽  
Parisa Amiri

Abstract Background Maternal obesity is a public health issue that could affect both women’s and children’s health. This qualitative study aimed to identify barriers to weight management of pregnant women with obesity and low socioeconomic backgrounds. Methods The current qualitative study has been conducted using a grounded theory approach by analyzing data collected from in-depth interviews with clients of Tehran’s public health care centers for prenatal care. The criteria for selecting participants were excessive weight gain during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, low socioeconomic status, and willingness to share their experiences. A semi-structured guide consisting of open-ended questions was asked in a private room. Open, axial, and selective coding were applied to the data. Findings Four main themes emerged from data, each of which has some subcategories: 1) personal factors (unpleasant emotions and feelings, personal tastes/hobbies, workload and responsibilities, and history of diseases), 2) pregnancy status (unintended and high-risk pregnancy), 3) interpersonal relationships and support (lack of a spouse’s support and unhealthy role modeling of relatives), 4) socio-cultural factors/influences (social norms and values, lack of access to health services, and unreliable information channels). Conclusions This study provides an overview of the barriers to the weight management of pregnant women from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The results could help develop appropriate health strategies for low socioeconomic women with obesity. Also, health care providers for this group of women could use these findings as a guide to consider their conditions and background.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (01) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Nining Sulistyowati ◽  
Yeti Trisnawati

ABSTRAKLatar belakang: Pandemi Covid-19 menyebabkan banyak pembatasan hampir ke semua layanan rutin termasuk pelayanan kesehatan maternal dan neonatal. Ibu hamil menjadi enggan ke puskesmas atau fasiltas pelayanan kesehatan karena takut tertular, adanya anjuran menunda pemeriksaan kehamilan dan kelas ibu hamil Kurangnya kunjungan ANC ini bisa menyebabkan bahaya bagi ibu maupun janin seperti terjadinya perdarahan saat masa kehamilan karena tidak terdeteksinya tanda bahaya. Tujuan penelitian: Untuk menganalisis kecemasan ibu hamil terhadap kunjungan antenatal care di masa pandemic covid-19. Metode: Penelitian analitik dengan rancangan cross sectional. Penelitian dilakukan di Praktik Mandiri Bidan di Kota Tanjungpinang dari bulan Januari – Februari 2021. Populasi seluruh ibu hamil TM III yang terdata di Praktik Mandiri Bidan di Kota Tanjungpinang dengan sampel sebanyak 32 responden. Teknik purposive sampling dengan kriteria antara lain ibu hamil dengan usia kehamilan trimester III, mampu mengungkapkan perasaan dan kecemasannya, mempunyai handphone dan nomor whatsapp, memiliki Buku KIA serta skor L-MMPI (Lie-Score Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory) <10. Hasil penelitian: Hasil uji statistik chi square diperoleh nilai p 0,016 (p<0,05) disimpulkan ada hubungan antara tingkat kecemasan ibu hamil dengan kunjungan antenatal care ke fasilitas pelayanan kesehatan di masa pandemi Covid-19. Simpulan: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kunjungan ANC ibu hamil ke fasilitas pelayanan kesehatan pada masa pandemi covid-19 sebagian besar melakukan kunjungan ANC teratur 22 ibu hamil (68,8%), ibu hamil tidak mengalami kecemasan 9 (28,1%). Ibu hamil yang mengalami kecemasan dan tidak teratur melakukan kunjungan ANC sebanyak 12 ibu hamil (37,5%). Ibu hamil yang tidak mengalami cemas seluruhnya melakukan kunjungan ANC secara teratur yaitu 9 responden.Kata kunci: umur, Pendidikan, pekerjaan, kehamilan, kecemasan, frekuensi antenatal carePREGNANT MOTHER'S ANXIETY LEVELS ON ANTENATAL CARE VISITS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMICABSTRACTBackground: The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many restrictions on almost all routine services, including maternal and neonatal health services. Pregnant women are reluctant to go to the puskesmas or health service facilities for fear of contracting it, there are recommendations to postpone pregnancy checks and classes for pregnant women. This lack of ANC visits can cause danger to the mother and fetus, such as bleeding during pregnancy because no danger signs are detected. The purpose of the study: To analyze the anxiety of pregnant women regarding antenatal care visits during the covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Analytical research with cross sectional design. The study was conducted at the Independent Midwife Practice in Tanjungpinang City from January - February 2021. The population of all TM III pregnant women recorded at the Midwife Independent Practice in Tanjungpinang City with a sample of 32 respondents. Purposive sampling technique with criteria including pregnant women with the third trimester of pregnancy, being able to express their feelings and anxieties, having a cellphone and whatsapp number, having a KIA Book and an L-MMPI (Lie-Score Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory) score <10. Research results: The results of the chi square statistical test obtained a p value of 0.016 (p <0.05) it was concluded that there was a relationship between the level of anxiety of pregnant women and antenatal care visits to health care facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The results showed that ANC visits of pregnant women to health care facilities during the covid-19 pandemic mostly carried out regular ANC visits 22 pregnant women (68.8%), pregnant women did not experience anxiety 9 (28.1%). Pregnant women who experience anxiety and do not regularly visit ANC as many as 12 pregnant women (37.5%). Pregnant women who do not experience anxiety all make regular ANC visits, namely 9 respondents.Keywords: age, education, occupation, pregnancy, anxiety, antenatal care frequency.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jama Ali Egal ◽  
Amina Essa ◽  
Rahma Yusuf ◽  
Fadumo Osman ◽  
Marie Klingberg- Allvin ◽  
...  

Abstract ObjectiveSomaliland has high levels of both maternal and infant mortality. This has been attributed, in part, to the fact that nearly 80% of births in the country take place at home, with women assisted by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) who have limited medical knowledge when it comes to obstetric complications. In this study we aim to capture multipara women’s decision-making when choosing the place of birth, illuminated by their experiences of maternity services in SomalilandDesignAn explorative qualitative approach using individual interviews conducted in Somaliland with 25 multiparous women who had experience of both a home and facility-based birth within the last three years.FindingsThe main finding of this study was the description of how valuable autonomy and respectful care were for Somaliland women. Respectful care and the cost of maternity services were vital parts of women’s autonomous decision-making when choosing a place of birth. Disrespectful care in maternity services made low-risk pregnancy women chose homebirth instead of a health facility birth. Women who had previous high-risk pregnancies that suggested they should be returnees to facility-based antenatal care, were still planning for a homebirth as their first choice.Key conclusionThis qualitative study was conducted in the fragile context of Somaliland and suggest a need to transform maternal and child health clinics into midwifery-led birthing centers that promote natural birth. It is further important to create new roles and responsibilities for TBAs that link them to the formal health system assuring timely health care seeking during pregnancy and in relation to delivery. There is a need to conduct a country-wide study on the availability and distribution of healthcare providers and to construct a long-term sustainable plan to assure quality and equal access to maternal health care in the country.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026010602110388
Author(s):  
Kelly Daigle Millan ◽  
Samantha Poccia ◽  
Teresa T. Fung

Background: Maternal behavior during pregnancy is crucial to her own and her infant's health, and as such, it is important to understand the nutrition and supplement habits of women during pregnancy and what informs those behaviors. Aim: We aimed to assess the information seeking habits, attitudes, and beliefs about pregnancy-related nutrition and supplementation among pregnant women in the United States. Methods: Qualitative study using key informant interviews with pregnant and recently pregnant ( n = 21) US women. Themes related to concerns, attitudes, behaviors, and information seeking habits were extracted. Results: The mean age was 31.9 years and all had at least a university degree. Two major themes that emerged: (1) nutrition information-related attitudes and beliefs and (2) food and supplement-related attitudes and beliefs. Pregnant women in the US were underwhelmed with their health care provider experience when receiving information about pregnancy-related nutrition and supplementation. Nutrition was most often addressed in a reactive manner while women desired a more proactive approach. As a result, they conducted their own research using the internet as their primary tool, and ultimately made nutrition and supplement decisions based largely on their own instincts. Conclusion: Women interviewed for this study encountered barriers to pregnancy related nutrition information from a lack of clear communication from their health care provider and ambiguity and inconsistencies in information within and between sources. Women relied on themselves for information seeking and nutrition related decision making throughout their pregnancy.


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