Abstract
BackgroundAntenatal care (ANC) services are the gateway for integrated management of several conditions that adversely affect the mother and foetus. More stillbirths than neonatal deaths in South Africa are a reflection of poor quality ANC services.AimThe primary aim of this study was to explore the reasons for late booking, and also to determine pregnant women’s knowledge, perceptions and attitude towards antenatal care services they receive in Mthatha area in Eastern Cape, South Africa.SettingThis was a qualitative study, conducted at Mbekweni Health Centre in the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) subdistrict municipality of the Eastern Cape ProvinceMethodsThis qualitative study consisted of selected pregnant women who presented after 19 weeks of gestation at Mbekweni Health Centre. Data were collected through two different methods, namely, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used until saturation of the themes were reached. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analyses were undertaken.ResultsTwenty women participated in the study. They were diverse in terms of age 18–41 years, gravidity 1–6 and time of ANC booking 20–28 weeks. The interviews identified a variety of personal, service and organisational reasons for late ANC booking. The themes identified for late ANC bookings were: health care system related issues, socio-economic factors, women’s perceptions and knowledge, and failure of family planning services.ConclusionsWomen’s beliefs, knowledge and perceptions regarding antenatal services outweigh the perceived benefit of early ANC visit. The majority of women had lack of knowledge of contraception, early signs of pregnancy, purpose, timing and benefits of ANC visit.
Highlights
The antenatal care (ANC) provision or regular check-ups during pregnancy through the public health services in modern obstetrics was started during the late 1930s in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.[1]
According to World Health Organization (WHO) systemic review of 2001, the first trimester is the best time for a mother to book her pregnancy.[4]
The study population consisted of all pregnant women who were attending their first ANC visit after 19 weeks of gestation at Mbekweni Health Centre
Summary
The antenatal care (ANC) provision or regular check-ups during pregnancy through the public health services in modern obstetrics was started during the late 1930s in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.[1]. The universal recommendation for first ANC booking is in the first trimester. According to World Health Organization (WHO) systemic review of 2001, the first trimester is the best time for a mother to book her pregnancy.[4] In 2004 WHO proposed comprehensive integrated ANC for all pregnant women.[5] ANC is a gateway for integrated management of several conditions that adversely affect the mother and unborn foetus.[5] ANC consultation provides an opportunity to prepare mothers nutritional demand during pregnancy, rest, discomforts of pregnancy, safer sexual practices, family planning, feeding advice and new born care.[6,7]. Antenatal care (ANC) services are the gateway for integrated management of several conditions that adversely affect the mother and foetus. More stillbirths than neonatal deaths in South Africa are a reflection of poor quality ANC services
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