A qualitative study of the maternal health information-seeking behaviour of women of reproductive age in Mpwapwa district, Tanzania.

Abstract

BackgroundActive engagement in seeking maternal health information among women of reproductive age is vital in promoting positive health‐seeking behaviour and improving maternal health outcomes.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore maternal health information‐seeking behaviour of women of reproductive age in a rural Tanzania.MethodsUsing a qualitative research approach, the study held eight focus group discussions to collect data from a group of purposively selected women respondents. Data were analysed through thematic analysis.ResultsWomen need a range of maternal health information for their informed health decision making. However, while they indicated the need to seek that information from professional health providers, they received most of it from non‐professional and informal sources, including community health workers, traditional birth attendants and their family members. The use of these sources is attributed to, among other factors, unavailability of health facilities and limited access to professional health care.ConclusionAccess to relevant and reliable maternal health information is essential in creating awareness and empowering women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Women’s use of informal sources to meet their various information needs increases the chances of receiving unreliable information that may result in coming up with poor decisions making.