Utilisation of antenatal care services in rural primary health care facilities in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The high maternal mortality ratio is caused by various factors, including avoidable complications which can be reduced by attendance to antenatal care visits. The utilisation of antenatal care has been low in rural areas, especially in Africa. The purpose of this study was to explore the utilisation of antenatal care in Mutasa District of Zimbabwe. This study used a qualitative study approach, adopting the descriptive, explorative design that presented an active image of the research participants’ reality and capture live experiences. Participants of the study were pregnant women and women with children under the age of one. The participant were sampled using purposive and snow-ball sampling techniques. In-depth interviews were conducted. The participants were interviewed in their native language, Shona. The main question was: Can you explain in your own words how you use antenatal care services from the primary health care facility? The researcher clarified questions which the participant failed to understand. The researcher wrote down all responses and used a tape recorder to capture the responses. The researcher analysed data using thematic content analysis where themes and sub-themes were discussed. The main theme was low uptake of antenatal care in rural primary health care facilities. From the main theme there were factors influencing and perceptions of women on uptake of antenatal care services in primary health care facilities. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, dependability, transferability and conformability. Permission from the relevant authorities, such as the University of Venda Higher Degrees Committee, the Provincial Medical Director and the District Administrator was sought before conducting this study. Informed consent was also sought before interviewing the participants. The study concluded that socio-demography of participants affected antenatal care attendance. These are age, level of education, low income, high parity and distance to facility. Other hindering factors to utilization of antenatal care were lack of knowledge, religion and acceptability of antenatal care by the women in rural primary health care facilities. Findings will be disseminated through a research report and published in relevant accredited journals with the help of the supervisors. The study recommended that the Ministry of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe review Antenatal Care policies to ensure friendliness and to increase awareness through health education and continuous dissemination of antenatal care information.