Abstract
BackgroundSkilled birth attendance (SBA) during delivery has been associated with improved maternal health outcome. However, low utilisation of SBA during childbirth has continued in many developing countries including Zambia. The proposed scoping review aims to map literature on beliefs and values and how mothers are influenced by relational normative motivations in utilisation of SBAs in health facilities.MethodsWe designed and registered a study protocol for a scoping review. Literature searches will be conducted in multiple electronic databases (from January 2000 onwards), including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science. Grey literature will be identified through searching dissertation databases, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost and ResearchGate. Keyword searches will be used to identify articles. Only articles published in English, related on beliefs and values surrounding childbirth, and on perceptions towards facility delivery or skilled health care providers will be considered eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers will independently screen eligible titles, abstracts and full articles with a third reviewer to help resolve any disputes. The study methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. A narrative summary of findings will be conducted. We will employ NVIVO version 10 software package to extract the relevant outcomes from the included articles using content thematic analysis. This protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework (osf.io/9gn76).DiscussionUnderstanding how individual mother’s health seeking behaviours for SBA and those close to them are influenced by their beliefs and values is critical to informing health systems on the possible ‘hidden’ barriers and facilitators to utilisation of SBA in public health facilities. The review will complement evidence base on normative beliefs and values shaping care-seeking behaviours for skilled birth attendance by mothers in Africa.
Highlights
Skilled birth attendance (SBA) during delivery has been associated with improved maternal health outcome
Utilisation and access to quality facility-based services by skilled birth attendants (SBAs) during pregnancy, delivery, and post-delivery has been associated with improved maternal health outcomes [1, 2]
Identifying the research question Our research question is: What is the evidence of normative beliefs and values that shape care-seeking behaviours for SBA by mothers in Africa?
Summary
Skilled birth attendance (SBA) during delivery has been associated with improved maternal health outcome. Health system factors that hinder care seeking for childbirth have been reported to include limited availability of health care workers, lack of equipment and supplies [5, 6], and the attitude [7] and practices of health care workers, such as disrespectful and abusive care [8] Individual level factors, such as the mother’s age [9], marital status [10], level of education, economic status of the household [11, 12] and cultural and religious beliefs [13,14,15,16] have been reported as negative predictors to care-seeking behaviours of mothers. The location of services available is another important contextual factor hindering utilisation of SBA for childbirth from the health facilities [17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
