Premium
Barriers to early prenatal care in South Africa
Author(s) -
Haddad Diane N.,
Makin Jennifer D.,
Pattinson Robert C.,
Forsyth Brian W.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.06.041
Subject(s) - medicine , attendance , abortion , pregnancy , family medicine , prenatal care , anxiety , population , psychiatry , environmental health , genetics , economics , biology , economic growth
Abstract Objective To understand the barriers delaying early prenatal care for women in South Africa. Methods A mixed‐methods study was conducted at a center in Pretoria. Results Following interviews with 21 women at a prenatal clinic in Pretoria, a quantitative survey was completed by 204 postpartum women. During interviews, women described presenting late owing to contemplating induced abortion, fear of HIV testing, and fear of jealousy and bewitching. The survey results demonstrated that a majority of women (133 [65.2%]) reported knowledge of recommendations to present before 12 weeks; however, the average gestational age at initial presentation was 19.1 ± 7.7 weeks. Women were more likely to present earlier if the pregnancy was planned ( P = 0.013) and were less likely to if they had at any point contemplated induced abortion ( P = 0.021). Fears of bewitching and harmful psychological stress owing to a positive HIV test result prevailed in both the interviews and the surveys. Conclusion Significant efforts should be devoted to improving access to contraception and prepregnancy counseling in order to improve early prenatal care attendance. Similarly, addressing cultural concerns and fears regarding pregnancy is imperative in promoting early attendance.