Factors affecting attendance at and timing of formal antenatal care: results from a qualitative study in Madang, Papua New Guinea

Andrew, EV; Pell, C; Angwin, A; Auwun, A; Daniels, J; Mueller, I; Phuanukoonnon, S; Pool, R

Author(s): Andrew, EV; Pell, C; Angwin, A; Auwun, A; Daniels, J; Mueller, I; Phuanukoonnon, S; Pool, R;
Details: Publication Year 2014,Volume 9,Issue #5,Page e93025
Journal Title: PLoS One
Publication Type: Journal Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Appropriate antenatal care (ANC) is key for the health of mother and child. However, in Papua New Guinea (PNG), only a third of women receive any ANC during pregnancy. Drawing on qualitative research, this paper explores the influences on ANC attendance and timing of first visit in the Madang region of Papua New Guinea. METHODS: Data were collected in three sites utilizing several qualitative methods: free-listing and sorting of terms and definitions, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, observation in health care facilities and case studies of pregnant women. Respondents included pregnant women, their relatives, biomedical and traditional health providers, opinion leaders and community members. RESULTS: Although generally reported to be important, respondents' understanding of the procedures involved in ANC was limited. Factors influencing attendance fell into three main categories: accessibility, attitudes to ANC, and interpersonal issues. Although women saw accessibility (distance and cost) as a barrier, those who lived close to health facilities and could easily afford ANC also demonstrated poor attendance. Attitudes were shaped by previous experiences of ANC, such as waiting times, quality of care, and perceptions of preventative care and medical interventions during pregnancy. Interpersonal factors included relationships with healthcare providers, pregnancy disclosure, and family conflict. A desire to avoid repeat clinic visits, ideas about the strength of the fetus and parity were particularly relevant to the timing of first ANC visit. CONCLUSIONS: This long-term in-depth study (the first of its kind in Madang, PNG) shows how socio-cultural and economic factors influence ANC attendance. These factors must be addressed to encourage timely ANC visits: interventions could focus on ANC delivery in health facilities, for example, by addressing healthcare staff's attitudes towards pregnant women.
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Research Division(s): Infection And Immunity
Link To PubMed Central Version: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4026245/
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0093025
Open Access at Publisher's Site: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0093025
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Copyright: © 2014 Andrew et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Creation Date: 2014-07-29 03:01:04

Last Modified: 2015-01-08 12:18:55