scholarly journals Exploring community support on safe motherhood: A case of Lilongwe District, Malawi

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercy Pindani ◽  
Idesi Chilinda ◽  
Janet Botha ◽  
Genesis Chorwe-Sungani
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Safe Motherhood ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
Health Committee ◽  
Village Health

Background: Malawi is grappling with a high maternal mortality of 439 per 100 000 live births. It is estimated that 80% of maternal deaths can be prevented by actively engaging the community in the country. However, community support on safe motherhood remains unknown.Aim: This study, therefore, explored community support rendered to mothers and babies during antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods.Setting: This study was conducted in the Lilongwe District, Malawi.Methods: This was a qualitative study that collected data from 30 village health committee members through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: This study found that community support on safe motherhood rendered to women varied. The following five themes emerged from FGDs data on community support on safe motherhood: antenatal support, intrapartum support, postpartum support, bylaws reinforced by chiefs in the community and safe motherhood support groups. Community members encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal care, escorted pregnant women to the hospital for delivery and assisted women to care for a child and go for postpartum checkups. Community bylaws were considered as a necessary tool for encouraging women to attend antenatal care, deliver at the health facility and attend postpartum checkups.Conclusion: This study suggests that community members play a crucial role in providing support to women and newborns during antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods.

Self-delay for Timely Antenatal Care, Rituals and Heavy-Handed in-laws: Cultural Practices Killing Pregnant Women in Zambia- Lundazi district

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 79-86
Author(s):  
Patricia Mambwe
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Maternal Complications ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
Traditional Medicines ◽  
Maize Field

This study examined socio-cultural practices surrounding maternal deaths in Lundazi district –Zambia. The practices stealthily affect antenatal care received by antenatal women with subsequent maternal complications and deaths. Four Focus Group Discussions involving 40 members of Small Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs) were conducted in March 2018.This study found that pregnant women in Lundazi district- Zambia delay to initiate antenatal care until 6th or 7th month of their pregnancy. The reasons given include fear of witchcraft stealing the human embryo for magic. Pregnant women are delayed further as they seek traditional medicines from Traditional Healers for pregnancy protection. Other pregnant women cannot attend antenatal care consistently because their mothers-in-law want them to do what is considered beneficial for a woman traditionally- do house chores or join the team going to the maize field. Late antenatal initiation is a crisis. It is an emergency in waiting for which some pregnant women never recover.

scholarly journals Maternal Vaccination in Uganda: Exploring Pregnant Women, Community Leaders and Healthcare Workers’ Perceptions

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 552
Author(s):  
Phiona Nalubega ◽  
Emilie Karafillakis ◽  
Lydia Atuhaire ◽  
Pamela Akite ◽  
Flavia Zalwango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Maternal Vaccination ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Maternal Immunisation ◽  
The Government

Background: We investigated pregnant women, community leaders, healthcare workers (HCWs) and programme managers’ perceptions of maternal vaccination in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: We conducted focus group discussions, key informant interviews and in-depth discussions with HCWs (3), community leaders (3), pregnant women (8) and programme managers (10) between November 2019 and October 2020. Data were analysed thematically. Results: Pregnant women, community leaders and some HCWs had limited maternal immunisation knowledge. There was confusion over what constitutes a vaccine. Pregnant women may not receive vaccines because of mistrust of government; use of expired vaccines; reliance on traditional medicine; religious beliefs; fear of side effects; HCWs attitudes; and logistical issues. The key facilitators of maternal vaccination were a desire to prevent diseases, positive influences from HCWs and information about vaccine side effects. Community leaders and some pregnant women highlighted that pregnant women do not make decisions about maternal vaccination independently and are influenced by different individuals, including other pregnant women, older people, partners, relatives (parents), community leaders, HCWs and the government. Conclusions: Our results indicate that public health messaging should target all community members, including partners and parents of pregnant women as well as HCWs, to improve knowledge of and confidence in maternal vaccines.

scholarly journals Factors Shaping Uptake of Antenatal Care in Surabaya Municipality, Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Jones ◽  
Nyoman Anita Damayanti ◽  
Nicola Wiseman ◽  
Neil Harris
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Risk Pregnancy ◽  
Return Visits

Five focus group discussions (FGDs) with 61 pregnant women were conducted in June and July 2019 at primary health care (PHC) services within five urban areas of Surabaya, Indonesia. In addition, five semi-structured interviews with five midwives were carried out to explore the experiences of pregnant women accessing Antenatal Care (ANC) and the factors shaping uptake of ANC services. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings from focus group discussions suggested that fears of negative diagnosis before initial ANC appointment and personal beliefs and myths surrounding pregnancy may delay uptake of ANC. Further, the influence of husbands, family, and friends and long waiting times with overcrowding leading to limited seating shaped timely access and return visits. In addition, feeling comfortable with the quality of the service and receiving a friendly service from the practitioners assisted women in feeling comfortable to return. Finally, midwives acknowledged feeling afraid of being referred to a hospital if deemed a high-risk pregnancy-shaped return ANC visits. The findings highlighted several factors needing to be addressed to increase the promptness of first ANC visits and ensure return visits to achieve great ANC coverage.

scholarly journals Malaria-Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in Guinea

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Almamy Amara Touré ◽  
Abdoulaye Doumbouya ◽  
Abdourahamane Diallo ◽  
Gaspard Loua ◽  
Abdourahim Cissé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Placental Malaria ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Classification And Regression Tree ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Insecticide Treated Nets ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
District Hospitals

Introduction. Malaria is the leading cause of consultation in Guinea health facilities. During pregnancy, it remains a major health concern causing considerable risks for mother, fetus, and newborn. However, little is known about the epidemiology of malaria among pregnant women in Guinea. We aimed to provide information on malaria-associated factors in parturients. Methods. It was a cross-sectional survey in two regional hospitals and two district hospitals. 1000 parturients and their newborns were surveyed. All patients were interviewed, and thick and thin blood smears were examined. To determine the predictive factors of malaria in parturients, the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) was first performed by using peripheral and placental malaria as dependent variables and sociodemographic and antenatal characteristics as independent variables; then, explanatory profile variables or clusters from these trees were included in the logistic regression models. Results. We found 157 (15.8%) and 148 (14.8%) cases of peripheral and placental malaria, respectively. The regular use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) before delivery was 53.8%, and only 35.5% used sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine doses ≥3. Factors significantly associated with malaria were as follows: women from Forécariah and Guéckédou who did not regularly use LLINs and accomplished less than four antenatal care visits (ANC <4) and primigravid and paucigravid women who did not regularly use LLINs. Similarly, the odds of having malaria infection were significantly higher among women who had not regularly used LLINs and among primigravid and paucigravid women who had regularly used LLINs compared to multigravida women who had regularly used LLINs. Conclusion. This study showed that pregnant women remain particularly vulnerable to malaria; therefore, strengthening antenatal care visit strategies by emphasizing on promoting the use of LLINs and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, sexual education about early pregnancies, and family or community support during first pregnancies might be helpful.

scholarly journals The barriers preventing pregnant women from accessing midwife-led antenatal care in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Clementina U. Nwankwo ◽  
Chidum E. Ezenwaka
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Safe Motherhood ◽  
Financial Barriers

Background: Nigeria records high maternal deaths despite available antenatal care services in the country. This review aims to synthesise literature on barriers affecting access to midwife-led antenatal care (ANC) among pregnant women in Nigeria.Methods: This is a systematic literature review and involved searching of studies done in Nigeria and published between 2007 and 2018. MEDLINE 1946 to present, CINAHL, JBI, and Pubmed Central were electronically searched to identify studies on barriers affecting access to midwife-led ANC among pregnant women in Nigeria. Reference lists were hand-searched, Grey literature; Google scholar, and NuSearch e-dissertation were also searched.  Citation chaining was also used. Twenty articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria while only seven out of the twenty were included in the review after quality appraisal.Results: The data synthesis of the literature review showed disproportionate absence of the use of midwife-led ANC in this population. Several barriers were identified in the various works reviewed. The identified core barriers are economic relating to issues like high costs of services, poverty, unemployment, financial barriers; personal barrier relates to lack of autonomy, greater convenience of using other services and personal preference, low maternal educational levels, lack of information on healthcare services/ignorance about required health services, maternal age, marital status, parity/number of children; environmental relates to distance to health facility, location of residence/rural dwellers, geographical location, lack of transportation, and farness of ANC service provider; and cultural barriers relates to husband’s permission, culture of patriarchy, traditional beliefs, cultural sensitivity, cultural perception of the role of TBAs, ethnicity.Conclusions: This review highlights the need to thoroughly explore and address context-based barriers affecting access to midwife-led ANC in order to make safe motherhood a reality in Nigeria. The principal solution to these identified barriers is antenatal education by midwives which will help to empower women thereby increasing their access to midwife-led ANC. \textit{Recommendations:} Government/Policy makers should allocate sufficient fund to maternal healthcare and health promotion. They should improve ANC use by making it available, accessible and affordable to all women in Nigeria irrespective of their area of residence. Also incorporate in the educational curriculum of the approved schools of midwifery in Nigeria the suggested midwifery strategies such as named midwife, team midwife, caseload midwifery.Midwives should avail themselves of update courses in midwifery; play the necessary roles of a midwife especially being women-centered; develop interest in conducting midwifery research and using the best available evidence in their practice.

scholarly journals A study on knowledge, attitude and practices regarding antenatal care among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a tertiary care hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1621
Author(s):  
Rajvir Kaur ◽  
Poonam Taneja ◽  
Isha Nandal
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Maternal Mortality Ratio ◽  
Antenatal Clinic ◽  
Infant Mortality Rate ◽  
Safe Motherhood ◽  
Care Hospital

Background: The maternal health level of Indian women was noticed to be inferior as compared to other developed countries. Antenatal care is the clinical assessment of both mother and foetus, during the period of pregnancy. Safe motherhood by providing good antenatal care (ANC) is very crucial to reduce maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate and to achieve millennium development goals. The objectives of this study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice on ANC among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic and their association with several sociodemographic factors.Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 200 pregnant women in their 3rd trimester attending the OPD in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Gurugram, Haryana. Predesigned questionnaire was used for collecting data by interview after obtaining informed consent.Results: This study revealed that about 55% women had adequate knowledge regarding ANC. It was found that almost all the variables such as age, parity, level of education, occupation and type of family had a significant association with awareness about ANC. 90% women were having a positive attitude towards ANC. Around 70%, women were practicing this adequately.Conclusions: These results can be used to design a Health Intervention Program targeting to upgrade the maternal health practices and ultimately progress the health status of the women.

scholarly journals Assess the knowledge and attitude regarding antenatal care among spouses of pregnant women attending antenatal OPD in selected tertiary care hospital Bhubaneswar, Odisha

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1757
Author(s):  
Indresh Gupta ◽  
Anindita Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Annual Number ◽  
Attitude Score ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude

Background: Antenatal care is an umbrella term used to describe the medical procedures and care that are carried out during pregnancy. Every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Worldwide, the annual number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births fell by 44% between 1990 and 2015, from approximately 385 to 216. The sub-Saharan African region accounted for an estimated 66% (201,000) of global maternal deaths, followed by southern Asia at 22% (66,000 deaths).Basically, only 5% of the world’s countries accounted for over half of maternal deaths.Methods: A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted on 384 spouses attending antenatal OPD. Interview Schedule was conducted to assess their knowledge and attitude using a self-structured questionnaire. Knowledge score of spouses has been computed on the basis of correct response to 18 knowledge questions and by converting it to percentage score.Results: The mean knowledge score was 61.10% taken as the arithmetic average of all the scores.  Mean attitude score was very high 94.29% with small SD 3.87. The attitude of spouse towards antenatal care is found to be extremely high. The educational status (p<0.000), age (p<0.002), type of family (p<0.018) and average income earned per month (p<0.000) were statistically significant to the level of knowledge.Conclusions: The study shows that the knowledge and attitude among spouses of pregnant women about antenatal care is good.

scholarly journals Dietary Diversity Practice and its Influencing Factors Among Pregnant Women in Afar Region of Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study Design Supplemented by Qualitative Study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Temesgen Gebeyehu Wondmeneh
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Care Visit

Abstract Background: Women in low-income countries are frequently malnourished when they become pregnant, and the demands of pregnancy can exacerbate nutritional deficiencies, particularly micronutrient deficiencies, with serious health effects on the fetus. Antenatal nutritional supplements can help to improve birth outcomes and maternal health. As a result, determining the magnitude of dietary diversity and its influencing factors among pregnant women in the pastoral region of Afar, where no study has been conducted, is an essential in order to establish an intervention program in the region. Method: A mixed study comprising 241 pregnant women and six focus group discussions was conducted from October 1 to November 10, 2018. Participants in the quantitative study were selected by a systematic sampling method, whereas those in the focus group discussions were chosen by using purposive sampling method. The data was collected using pretested questionnaires administered via face-to-face interviews. The relationship between dietary diversity practice and its affecting factors was investigated using logistic regression analysis. The strength of the association was determined by odds ratio with a 95 % confidence interval. Thematic framework was used to analyse the qualitative data.Results: Seventy-three percent of pregnant women had poor dietary diversity. Dietary diversity was higher in younger pregnant women who were under the age of 20 years (AOR=5.8; at 95% CI: 1.6-13.5) and aged between 21-25 years (AOR=3.9; at 95 percent CI:1.1-12.2) than in older pregnant women with over the age of 30 years. Those participants with a high average family income (above 4500 birr) had a good dietary diversity when compared to those with family income less than 1500 birr (AOR=0.1:95% 39 CI;0.02-0.7) and between 1500-3000 birr (AOR=0.05:95% CI;0.01-0.2). Pregnant women who had one antenatal care visit practiced less dietary diversity than those who had four or more (AOR=0.18: 95 percent CI; 0.04-0.8). Protein-rich foods (meat and eggs), semisolid foods (porridge and cereal soup), milk, fruit (banana) and vegetable (cabbage) 43 were the most commonly avoided foods by pregnant women. These meals were commonly avoided since they produced large babies and were attached to the fetus's body.Conclusion: The majority of study participants had a poor dietary diversity. Pregnant women with a low family income and only one prenatal care visit were less likely than those with a high family income and four or more antenatal care visits to practice dietary diversity, respectively. Most pregnant women avoided high-protein diets, semi-solid foods, milk, vegetable and fruit. Due to the presumptions of producing large fetus and attached to the fetus's body, these foods were avoided.

Antenatal Care in Sudan: A Qualitative Study Into Accessibility and Quality of Maternal Health Services in Khartoum

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-86
Author(s):  
Rayan Mohamed-Ahmed ◽  
Muna Abdel Aziz ◽  
Richard Walker
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
Physical Barriers

Antenatal care is shown to be a cost-effective intervention for reducing rates of maternal mortality. However, utilization of maternal health services in Sudan remains low and maternal deaths high. This study aims to investigate why Sudanese women do not attend antenatal care, satisfaction with services and views on improving uptake. Focus group discussions took place, with 30 women who had delivered in the past year, in five areas in Khartoum. Themes in transcripts were identified. Factors that can affect a woman’s choice to attend antenatal care extend beyond physical barriers and include misconceptions of it’s use, conflict between faith and modern medicine and dissatisfaction with previously used services. The care provider’s perceived lack of empathy, unpunctuality and lack of health promotion can also contribute to underutilization.

scholarly journals Analysis of the influence of pregnant women satisfaction on the motivation in compliance to antenatal care visits In Panti Community Health Centers, Jember Regency

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Indah Muflihatin ◽  
Raden Roro Lia Chairina ◽  
Andri Permana Wicaksono
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Community Health Centers ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Obstetric Care ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Safe Motherhood ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional

<p><em>Examination of Antenatal Care (ANC) is an examination of pregnancy to optimize the physical and mental health of pregnant women so they can face the birth, post-partum period, breastfeeding preparation, and restore the health of reproductive system naturally. Family planning, antenatal care, clean and safe vaginal delivery, and obstetric care should be applied to all women of reproductive age as stated in the Safe Motherhood with its concept of the four pillars. Utilization of health facilities needs to be improved to reduce morbidity and maternal mortality. As for the achievement of K1 and K4 coverage at Puskesmas Panti in the last two years remain below the target, namely K1 by 117%, while the K4 as much as 67.84%. In 2016, K1 coverage is equal to 414 (70.29%) of 589 pregnant women, K4 is as much as 38.54% of 227 pregnant women. These data indicate a considerable gap between the coverage of K1 and K4. The gap between K1 and K4 in Puskesmas Panti in 2016 is quite large, 31.75% of the target gap which should not exceed 10% (Data of PWS Puskesmas Panti, 2016). This study aimed to analyze the relationship between motivation and satisfaction levels of pregnant women in antenatal care at the Puskesmas Panti, Jember Regency. This research is quantitative research using path analysis method. This study design was cross-sectional with a sample of 50 pregnant women taken with the technique of consecutive sampling. Data were collected in August-November 2017. Data were analyzed using data processing software. The results showed that there was a positive relationship between satisfaction with patient motivation in conducting ANC with a value of CR 2.78, there was a significant effect between satisfaction with safety in conducting ANC with a CR value of 0.34, and there was satisfaction with non-support that increased the meeting patients in performing ANC with a CR value of 0.39.Furthermore, the results of the analysis and conclusions of the study will be the basis for solving health problems. The recommendation is provided based on results of the study as an attempt to improve the performance of K1 and K4.</em></p><p> </p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Motivation ,  Satisfaction, Antenatal Care</p>

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