Exploring the provision of early antenatal care at Tshino-Mutsha Local Area in Limpopo Province

Abstract

Early antenatal care attendance is one of the interventions aimed at improving maternal and perinatal health outcomes. During this period and visits women are screened to identify complications associated with their pregnancy and to determine the level of care needed. However, there are still institutions where even if urine tests for Gravindex can be positive as early as 8 weeks but they are not initiating antenatal care on the same day of the test. The study’s aim was to determine the perceptions of midwives on initiation of early antenatal care after a positive Gravindex test. The qualitative explorative, descriptive, and contextual design was applied. The study population comprised of midwives working at Tshino-Mutsha Local area. Nonprobability, particularly purposive sampling was used to select about four clinics (Tshakhuma, Ha-Mutsha, Tshino and Manavhela), twenty participants were expected to be the sample size (five participants per clinic). However, the sample size was determined by data saturation which was reached at participant number 15. Face-toface in-depth interviews were conducted using open-ended questions. An interview guide was used during the interviews to help the researcher to stay focused. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis to identify themes and sub-themes. Ethical principles were adhered to during the process of the whole study. The study findings revealed that there are paradoxical challenges experienced by midwives related to the provision of early antenatal care services such as lack of human resources and materials. It is recommended that the Department of Health in Limpopo Province should strengthen early antenatal booking services through adequate provision of materials and employing more midwives.