Preferences of Women for Maternal Health Services in Sidama Region, Ethiopia: Discrete Choice Experiment.

To understand the health-seeking behaviour of adolescent women in Bangladesh with respect to the use of maternal health services. Literature review of seven electronic databases: PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, POPLINE and Global Health. Studies published in English between 1990 and 2013 which describe Bangladeshi adolescent women's healthcare-seeking behaviour during pregnancy, delivery and post-partum were included. Twelve studies were included in this review. 11 used quantitative methods and one used a mixed-methods approach. All studies included married adolescent women only. Women with lower educational levels are less likely to seek skilled maternal health services than those with higher levels of education. Use of maternal health services is also less common among rural married adolescent women than women in urban areas. Being part of the richest bands of wealth, having had previous experiences of childbirth and higher women's autonomy positively influence the use of skilled maternal health services among married adolescent women in Bangladesh. Antenatal care is a key predictor of the use of skilled birth attendants for delivery and post-natal care. Maternal health-related programmes should be designed targeting rural and uneducated married adolescent women in Bangladesh. More qualitative investigations are required to broaden our understanding on maternal health-seeking behaviour of both married and unmarried adolescent women.

<i>Background: </i>Maternal Mortality is a public health problem in Nepal, which was highest in 1990 among the South Asian countries. Associated factors of maternal mortality are various; among them maternal health services such as antenatal (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) services are the main. <i>Methods: </i>A multivariate secondary data analysis out based on Nepal Demographic Health Surveys 2001 and 2006. Logistic regression models was performed to compare the utilization of the ANC and PNC services, with background characteristics of women aged between 15 to 49 years old. <i>Results: </i>A total of 8913 reproductive aged groups (15-49) women were taken for analysis and the mean age was 28.59±7.040 years. Logistic regression analysis revealed that health facility delivery (AOR=1.297, 95% CI=1.135-1.481), PNC check-up at health facility (AOD=4.442, 95% CI=2.815-7.011) and PNC service with a skilled health worker (AOD=4.533, 95% CI=2.753-7.465) utilized more in 2006 compared to 2001. This study also found that highly educated women had (AOD, 95% CI=10.823-22.968) more utilized the heath facility during pregnancy and (AOD, 95% CI=2.194-16.950) more likely during a PNC check-up, whereas, educated women were less (AOR=0.043, 95% CI=0.007-0.254) likely consult with a skilled professional. Similarly, antenatal care (ANC) visits (4 or more than four) and ANC visit in the first trimester were increased (95% CI=1.137-1.518) and (AOD=1.041, 95% CI=0.924-1.173) respectively. This study found that educated women, those who were living in urban areas, were more likely to use maternal health services compared to other regions. <i>Conclusion: </i>Increased in utilization of the ANC and PNC services through skilled health workers in a health facility among cohorts of educated women. However, the improvements were not equally distributed across the all regions in the country. This utilization of maternal health services is not sufficient to achieve the MDG goal. Because, health facility delivery is poor and counterpart home delivery is still high in Nepal.

BackgroundNepal has improved access and utilisation of routine maternal and newborn health (MNH) services. Despite improved access to routine MNH services such as antenatal care (ANC), and delivery and postnatal care (PNC) services, the burden of maternal and neonatal deaths in Nepal remains high. Most of those deaths could be prevented by improving utilisation of evidence-informed clinical MNH interventions. However, little is known on determinants of utilisation of such clinical MNH interventions in health facilities (HFs). This study investigated the determinants of utilisation of technical quality MNH services in Nepal.MethodsThis study used data from the 2015 Nepal Services Provision Assessment. A total of 523 pregnant and 309 postpartum women were included for the analysis of utilisation of technical quality of ANC, and delivery and PNC services, respectively. Outcome variables were utilisation of better quality i) ANC services, and ii) delivery and PNC services while independent variables included features of HFs and health workers, and demographic characteristics of pregnant and postpartum women. Binomial logistic regression was conducted to identify the determinants associated with utilisation of quality MNH services. The odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CIs) were reported at the significance level of p < 0.05 (two-tailed).ResultsWomen utilised quality ANC services if they attended facilities with better HF capacity (aOR = 2.12;95% CI: 1.03, 4.35). Women utilised better quality delivery and PNC services from private HFs compared to public HFs (aOR = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.14, 6.08). Women utilised better technical quality ANC provided by nursing staff compared to physicians (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) =2.89; 95% CI: 1.33, 6.29), and from staff supervised by a higher authority compared to those not supervised (aOR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.92). However, compared to province one, women utilised poor quality delivery and PNC services from HFs in province two (aOR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.63).ConclusionsWomen utilised quality MNH services at facilities with better HF capacity, service provided by nursing staff, and attended at supervised HFs/health workers. Provincial and municipal governments require strengthening HF capacities (e.g., supply equipment, medicines, supplies), recruiting trained nurse-midwives, and supervising health workers.

Background: In Pakistan, poor antenatal and postnatal coverage, has accounted for nearly 70% of preventable maternal deaths. Interventions implemented to improve uptake of antenatal and postnatal care (PNC) services have not shown significant improvements. Recent increase in cellphone penetration has brought forward mHealth as a potential strategy to enhance antenatal care (ANC) and PNC uptake. The objective of this study was to explore if mHealth technology is a feasible strategy to improve uptake of preventive maternal healthcare services in peri-urban areas of Karachi. Methods: The study employed an exploratory qualitative research design using focus group discussions (FGDs) and key-informant interviews. FGDs were conducted with pregnant women, women in the postnatal period and lady health workers (LHWs) whereas key-informant interviews were conducted with maternal neonatal and child health experts and mHealth experts. The study data was analyzed using NVivo version 11. Results: This research found that women, healthcare providers and technology experts consider mHealth strategy has high potential to address barriers related to provision and utilization of ANC and PNC services. Healthcare providers and women understand the term mHealth and knew the benefits of mHealth services. Few of the women and healthcare providers are currently using mHealth for providing and receiving ANC and PNC services. Women and healthcare provider seemed ready for mHealth use however expressed challenges such as, illiteracy, cultural restrictions, lack of trustworthiness and misuse of technology. Conclusions: This study informs that mHealth is operationally feasible, culturally acceptable and technologically appropriate strategy. For successful integration of mHealth technology in to existing maternal neonatal and child health service delivery structure, it is considered imperative to build a sustainable model of mHealth by involving government, local communities, telecommunication personnel, health care providers and mHealth and maternal neonatal and child health experts and through tailoring the design of the mHealth solutions in such a way that it benefits majority of women.

Introduction: Maternal mortality remains disproportionately high in sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya continues to face significant challenges in antenatal and postnatal care uptake. To address this, the Ministry of Health piloted the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) in Muhoroni Sub-County. eCHIS supports community health service delivery through data collection, referral tracking and health education. However, limited evidence exists on how socio-demographic factors influence eCHIS utilization and maternal health service uptake. Aim: To determine the socio-demographic factors associated with eCHIS utilization in enhancing uptake of antenatal (ANC), skilled delivery and postnatal care (PNC) services. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design. A total of 398 lactating mothers with children under six months, whose pregnancies were registered in eCHIS and followed through to postnatal care, were included. Both purposive and simple random sampling techniques were applied, with participants first identified from the eCHIS registry and then randomly selected to form the final sample. Quantitative data were collected using structured electronic questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS v25. Regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to assess associations between socio-demographic factors and uptake of ANC, skilled delivery and PNC services. Results: Education and age significantly influenced service uptake. Higher education was associated with increased antenatal, skilled delivery, and postnatal care utilization (P=0.010). Age was significant (P=0.003); adolescent (15–19) and older mothers (35–49) recorded reduced uptake compared to women aged 20–34. Marital status was not statistically significant (P=0.110). SEM showed socio-demographic factors predicted eCHIS utilization (β=0.273, p&lt;0.01), which mediated their effect on maternal health service uptake. R² values indicated moderate explanatory power (41.2% variance explained for eCHIS utilization; 42.8% for service uptake). Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors, particularly education and age, influence ANC, Skilled delivery and PNC service uptake through eCHIS. Tailoring digital health interventions to these profiles, strengthening maternal health literacy, and implementing age-sensitive outreach are essential to maximize eCHIS impact and improve maternal outcomes in resource-limited settings. These findings inform the development of evidence-based digital health policies that promote equitable maternal health service delivery.

Introduction: Maternal health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being of the mother; it is a resource for everyday life of the mother. It encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception, prenatal, and postnatal care in order to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. The use of antenatal, delivery and postnatal care services can be accessed through the number and timing of ANC visits, proportion of births delivered in health centers, attendants during delivery and antenatal care and number of postnatal visits. Health care services during pregnancy and after delivery are important for the survival and wellbeing of both the mother and the infant. Objective: The overall objective of this study is to investigate the perceived physical barriers to maternal health seeking behavior of rural women in Raya Alamata district. Methods: The researcher employed mixed research methods (both qualitative and quantitative). The study populations were reproductive women in the age category of 15-49. In doing so, a sample of 359 reproductive women was selected from three ‘Tabias’ by using simple random sampling techniques. The qualitative data analyzed using thematic analysis whereas the quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result: Based on the finding this study, the majority of the respondents 31% were found between the age category of 25- 34 years, 87.5% were married, 93.6% belongs to Tigrian ethnic groups, 71.6% are followers of orthodox Christian, 60.7% were illiterate; and the majority 44.7% of the respondents earned an average monthly income of 501-1000 birr. Rural women also travelled 3.87 km, 5 km, 10 km and 6.4 km in average to get maternal health services from health posts, health centers, hospitals and private clinics respectively. Moreover, long distance and lack of transportation, inequitable distribution of health facilities, inconvenient topography and weather related problems were the major barriers for rural women to get maternal health services. These perceived physical barriers have affected the treatment seeking behavior of rural women especially throughout pregnancy, delivery and postnatal stages. Conclusion: The findings of this study give much emphasis into the perceived physical barriers to maternal health seeking behavior among rural women. The physical barriers restrained rural women from getting antenatal, delivery and postnatal care services which led to pregnancy complications, home delivery, and post-delivery problems which resulted in maternal morbidity and mortality.

Introduction: Autonomy is the ability to obtain information and independently decide about one's concerns. Women's autonomy in health-care decision-making is extremely important for improving maternal and child health outcomes and as an indicator of women's empowerment. The study aimed to assess the level of women’s autonomy and its relationship with maternal health service utilization among postnatal women attending an immunization clinic in Birendranagar municipality, Surkhet. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved postnatal women with 45-day-old children attending an immunization clinic in Birendranagar, Surkhet. Structured questionnaires were used to interview 153 women, and the association between women’s autonomy and maternal health service use was analyzed through a chi-square test. Results: The study found 83(54.2%) women had low autonomy. Financial autonomy was observed in 87 (56.8%) of women, which was higher than autonomy in decision-making 51 (33.3%) and movement 47 (30.7%). Approximately 124 (81.0%) had attended four antenatal care (ANC) visits for their last pregnancy, and 149 (97.3%) delivered their last child in health facilities. However, only 25 (16.3%) attended three postnatal care (PNC) visits. There was a significant association between autonomy levels and maternal service use, particularly with ANC and PNC services (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Over half of the women surveyed had low autonomy, and maternal health service utilization was limited, with a significant relationship between women’s autonomy and service use. Programs aimed at empowering women are recommended to enhance autonomy and improve the utilization of maternal health services.

BackgroundAntenatal Care (ANC), use of skilled delivery attendants and postnatal care (PNC) services are key maternal health services that can significantly reduce maternal mortality. Understanding the factors that affect service utilization helps to design appropriate strategies and policies towards improvement of service utilization and thereby reduce maternal mortality. The objective of this study was to identify factors that affect utilization of maternal health services in Ethiopia.MethodsData were drawn from the 2011 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey. The dependent variables were use of ANC, skilled delivery attendants and PNC services. The independent variables were categorized as socio-cultural, perceived needs and accessibility related factors. Data analysis was done using SPSS for windows version 20.0. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used in the analysis.ResultsThirty four percent of women had ANC visits, 11.7% used skilled delivery attendants and 9.7% of women had a postnatal health checkup. Education of women, place of residence, ethnicity, parity, women’s autonomy and household wealth had a significant association with the use of maternal health services. Women who completed higher education were more likely to use ANC (AOR = 3.8, 95% CI = 1.8-7.8), skilled delivery attendants (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.9-6.2) and PNC (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI = 2.0-5.2). Women from urban areas use ANC (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.9-2.9), skilled delivery attendants (AOR = 4.9, 95% CI = 3.8-6.3) and PNC services (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.0-3.4) more than women from rural areas. Women who have had ANC visits during the index pregnancy were more likely to subsequently use skilled delivery attendants (AOR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1-1.7) and PNC (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI = 2.8-4.1). Utilization of ANC, delivery and PNC services is more among more autonomous women than those whose spending is controlled by other people.ConclusionMaternal health service utilization in Ethiopia is very low. Socio-demographic and accessibility related factors are major determinants of service utilization. There is a high inequality in service utilization among women with differences in education, household wealth, autonomy and residence. ANC is an important entry point for subsequent use of delivery and PNC services. Strategies that aim improving maternal health service utilization should target improvement of education, economic status and empowerment of women.

Introduction: Gandaki Province, Nepal, presents unique challenges for maternal health due to its rugged terrain, limited healthcare infrastructure, and socio-cultural barriers. The study examines maternal health service utilization across urban and rural settings, highlighting disparities in antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), and delivery services. Methodology: With a purpose to find out the Maternal and Child Health Service Utilization for improvement of mother and child health in Gandaki province of Nepal, the cross-sectional study employs secondary data obtained from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022. A multi-stage sampling method yielded a representative sample of 1401 childbearing-aged women. A weighted sample was employed and subsequently analyzed through the use of SPSS. The study examined maternal health service utilization, including ANC visits, institutional deliveries, and PNC, using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Findings: Results reveal significant disparities between urban and rural areas. The analysis of childbearing-aged women in Gandaki Province, Nepal, reveals that 85.8% identify as Hindu, with Janajati women being the largest ethnic group at 36.6%. Health status shows that 56.7% of women rate their health as moderate, and a significant proportion resides in urban areas (71.0%). In terms of healthcare access, while the average number of antenatal care visits is similar in urban (2.0) and rural (2.0) settings, urban women have higher rates of postnatal checkups for both mothers (81.6%) and newborns (83.2%) compared to rural women (66.5% and 71.2%, respectively). Urban women are more likely to access four or more ANC visits, institutional deliveries, and timely PNC compared to rural women. Wealthier and more educated urban women have greater access to comprehensive maternal services. Rural areas face challenges such as limited healthcare facilities, reliance on home-based deliveries, and cultural barriers that hinder service utilization. Conclusions and Implications: The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to address disparities in maternal health service utilization. Policy measures should focus on expanding healthcare infrastructure, increasing the availability of skilled personnel, and improving transportation in rural areas. Community-based health education and socio-economic support programs are crucial to bridging the gap in maternal health services. Implementing these strategies can lead to more equitable maternal health care and improved outcomes across different geographic and socio-economic contexts.

IntroductionInequities in accessibility to, and utilisation of maternal healthcare services impede progress towards attainment of the maternal health-related Millennium Development Goals. The objective of this study is to examine the extent to which maternal health services are utilised in Ghana, and whether inequities in accessibility to and utilization of services have been eliminated following the implementation of a user-fee exemption policy, that aims to reduce financial barriers to access, reduce inequities in access, and improve access to and use of birthing services.MethodsWe analyzed data from the 2007 Ghana Maternal Health Survey for inequities in access to and utilization of maternal health services. In measuring the inequities, frequency tables and cross-tabulations were used to compare rates of service utilization by region, residence and selected socio-demographic variables.ResultsFindings show marginal increases in accessibility to and utilisation of skilled antenatal, delivery and postnatal care services following the policy implementation (2003–2007). However, large gradients of inequities exist between geographic regions, urban and rural areas, and different socio-demographic, religious and ethnic groupings. More urban women (40%) than rural, 53% more women in the highest wealth quintile than women in the lowest, 38% more women in the best performing region (Central Region) than the worst (Upper East Region), and 48% more women with at least secondary education than those with no formal education, accessed and used all components of skilled maternal health services in the five years preceding the survey. Our findings raise questions about the potential equity and distributional benefits of Ghana’s user-fee exemption policy, and the role of non-financial barriers or considerations.ConclusionExempting user-fees for maternal health services is a promising policy option for improving access to maternal health care, but might be insufficient on its own to secure equitable access to maternal health services in Ghana. Ensuring equity in access will require moving beyond user-fee exemption to addressing wider issues of supply and demand factors and the social determinants of health, including redistributing healthcare resources and services, and redressing the positional vulnerability of women in their communities.

BackgroundEthiopia has made strides in reducing maternal mortality, but significant discrepancies in maternal health service utilization exist across socioeconomic levels. According to studies, women from higher-income households are far more likely to use essential services such as antenatal care, delivery care, and postnatal care than poorer women. This wealth disparity is a primary contributor to persistently high maternal mortality, particularly among poor populations. The study’s goal was to assess wealth disparities in maternal health service uptake and identify contributing factors.Methods and materialsWe used the Ethiopian Mini Demographic Health Survey (EMDHS), conducted in 2019 on women aged 15–49 living in selected census areas, with a weighted sample size of 3,909. The Erreygers Concentration Index (ECI) was used to measure wealth inequalities in maternal health care, and the ECI decomposition was used to identify factors contributing to inequality in maternal health services.ResultsMaternal health service utilization was pro-rich among women in Ethiopia. The prevalence of antenatal care service (ANC), delivery, and postnatal care (PNC) service utilization showed a pro-rich distribution among Ethiopian women, with ECI = 0.115 (95% CI: 0.091–0.137), ECI = 0.223 (95% CI: 0.191–0.276), and ECI = 0.121 (95% CI: 0.041-0.200), respectively. The ECI indices were decomposed to examine the contributing factors to disparities in maternal service utilization in Ethiopia. Mother’s current age, household family size, region, birth order, and parity were contributors to maternal health service utilization.ConclusionThe ANC service, delivery service and PNC service utilization showed a pro-rich distribution among Ethiopian women. Mother’s current age, household family size, region, birth order, and parity are important contributors of maternal health service inequality. To improve access and usage among low-income women, policymakers can develop programs including increasing the number of free or subsidized services and providing transportation.

Background Women in sub-Saharan Africa face numerous barriers to reproductive health and antenatal care (ANC) services. The objective of this study was to identify health provider perspectives regarding the barriers and enablers to reproductive health, ANC, and postnatal care (PNC) services in rural Tanzania. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in four districts of Tanzania and utilized key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). An interview guide was developed, focusing on individual and community-based factors (barriers and enablers) to accessing ANC and PNC services. Data were collected during December 2017 and May 2018 and analyzed using a thematic approach. Results Two major themes were identified as barriers to women accessing ANC and PNC services. First, factors related to women in the context of their family and community, for example (i) lack of autonomy in a patriarchal society, (ii) lack of knowledge and education regarding healthy pregnancy and pregnancy complications, (iii) lack of financial resources or control over financial resources, (iv) use of traditional birth attendants, (v) lack of male involvement, (vi) cultural beliefs as barriers to accessing family planning and ANC and PNC services. Second, factors present in the health system, for example (i) lack of infrastructure, equipment and health provider resources at health facilities, and (ii) lack of confidentiality and feelings of stigmatization when receiving health services. Reduced stigmatization against women with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) served as an enabler. Conclusions Overall, this study highlights the need to implement more initiatives in these rural districts to improve ANC and PNC services uptake. It also indicates the need to find strategies to improve male involvement and family support in the local context.

ObjectiveThis study sought to investigate the level and determinants of receiving quality antenatal care (ANC), intrapartum care, and postnatal care (PNC) services by women in Ethiopia. The quality of care a woman receives during ANC, intrapartum care, and PNC services affects the health of the woman and her child and her likelihood of seeking care in the future.MethodsData from the nationally representative Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019 were analysed for 5,527 mothers who gave birth within five years preceding the survey. We defined quality ANC as having: blood pressure measurement, urine and blood tests, informed of danger signs, iron supplementation, and nutritional counselling during ANC services; quality intrapartum care as having: a health facility birth, skilled birth assistance, and a newborn put to the breast within one hour of birth during intrapartum care services; and quality PNC as having: PNC within two days; cord examination; temperature measurement, and counselling on danger signs and breastfeeding of the newborn; and healthcare provider's observation of breastfeeding during PNC services. We used multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression analyses specifying three-level models: a woman/household, a cluster, and an administrative region to determine predictors of each care quality. The analyses employed sampling weights and were adjusted for sampling design.ResultsThirty-six percent (n = 1,048), 43% (n = 1,485), and 21% (n = 374) women received quality ANC, intrapartum care and PNC services, respectively. Private healthcare facilities provided higher-quality ANC and PNC but poor-quality intrapartum care, compared to public health facilities. Having four or more ANC visits, commencing ANC during the first trimester, and higher women's education levels and household wealth indices were positive predictors of quality ANC use. Government health posts were less likely to provide quality ANC. Wealthier, urban-residing women with education and four or more ANC contacts were more likely to receive quality intrapartum care. Women who received quality ANC and skilled birth assistance were more likely to receive quality PNC. Teenage mothers were more likely to receive quality intrapartum care, but were less likely to receive quality PNC than mothers aged 20–49.ConclusionsWe recommend standardizing the contents of ANC provided in all healthcare facilities; and promoting early and four or more ANC contacts, effectiveness, sensitivity and vigilance of care provided to teenage mothers, and women's education and economic empowerment.

BackgroundAttendance of maternal and infant care services in rural Chad are consistently low. Our study aimed to assess the use of antenatal (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) services, health facility delivery and infant health services after 4 years of a health systems intervention for improving the infrastructure, supplies, training and sensitization for maternal and infant health in two districts of rural Chad.MethodsData from a repeated cross-sectional household survey conducted in Yao and Danamadji in 2015 and in 2018 were analyzed. A stratified two-stage cluster sampling methodology was applied to achieve a representative sample of the rural settled and mobile population groups in the study area. A generalized linear model was applied to determine the health care utilization rates. Multivariate regression models were used to assess the association between the programme intervention and utilization outcomes of selected maternal and infant health services.ResultsComplete datasets were available for 1284 households at baseline. The endline analysis included 1175 households with complete survey data. The use of at least one ANC amongst pregnant women increased in both settled communities (from 80% in 2015 to 90% in 2018) and amongst mobile pastoralist communities (from 48% in 2015 to 56% in 2018). The rate of home delivery among settled communities and mobile pastoralists changed little between baseline and endline and remained high for both population groups. Individuals that were covered by the health systems intervention were however significantly more likely to attend ANC and less likely to give birth at home. PNC services only showed improvements amongst the settled communities (of 30%). Infants’ reported health outcomes and vaccination coverage considerably improved; the latter especially among mobile pastoralist (from 15% in 2015 to 84% in 2018).ConclusionA combination of health systems strengthening interventions was associated with an increased use of certain maternal and infant health services. However, to facilitate equitable access to and use of health care services in particular in times of increased vulnerability and by certain population groups in hard-to-reach areas, reinforced health education and culturally adapted communication strategies, including gender-specific messaging will be needed over a sustained period.

Although there are several accessible healthcare services in hospitals and other designated healthcare facilities, there are studies that reveal mothers’ little or lack of utilization of the services to the full potential of the facilities. For instance, antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) services are offered in many health facilities in the district of Baidoa in order to improve the healthcare of the mother and her baby, but mothers’ use of the services is assumed to be low, particularly after the first visit or two visits. Considering that assumption, this study attempts to explore how mothers access their ANC and PNC services; whether they complete the required visits, and reasons related to the completion or incompletion of the recommended visits. The study focuses on mothers registered for their ANC and PNC services at Darussalam Mother Child Health (MCH) Center in Baidoa, Southwest state of Somalia. A close-ended survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 50 mothers accessing ANC and PNC services at Darussalam MCH in Baidoa city. Where further explanation was needed, an open-ended question was asked for the participants to express their opinion and personal experiences. The results reveal that 64% of surveyed mothers were attending ANC services while 36% were visiting the health facility to receive PNC services. More than 56% were unemployed, 30% self-employed, and 14% were employed by the administration of the government of the Southwest State. Unlike other studies that demonstrate mothers’ low attendance and missing of scheduled appointments for their ANC and PNC visits, the current study reveals that a majority of 82% were visiting the MCH on schedule, expressing various reasons leading to their promptness. Despite most of the available literature supporting low-income mothers in underdeveloped countries’ low accessibility to health services such as ANC and PNC, this study provides a gleam of hope in that many women are attending their ANC and PNC appointments in order to realize the benefits of the services for themselves and their baby.