Browsing by Author "Mathaba, Noxolo Thule"

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    Perceptions of pregnant women regarding their attendance of antenatal care at selected clinics in the Umzinyathi District Municipality Kwazulu-Natal
    (University of Zululand, 2022-12) Mathaba, Noxolo Thule
    Introduction and Background Attendance of Antenatal Care (ANC) remains prioritised by health care workers and pregnant women in general, as it serves to maintain a healthy pregnancy and positive pregnancy outcomes. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to explore perceptions of pregnant women regarding their attendance of antenatal care in the UMzinyathi district municipality how they perceive it and discover the driving/ influencing factors behind ANC attendance. Methodology and Design A qualitative approach was used. The study used the In-depth interview method to interview pregnant women attending ANC at 3 clinics in UMzinyathi district municipality. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews. Purposive sampling was used to conduct in-depth interviews with 16 pregnant women attending ANC at the clinics. Data Analysis Themes emerged revealed certain factors that influenced attendance pregnant women to attend ANC. These themes addressed various notion of perceptions pregnant women which include the following: The first theme was (i) protection of the baby and the mother; (ii) knowledge benefits regarding fetus and pregnancy related to pregnant women attending to gain knowledge about their state of pregnancy. (iii) Reasons for attending ANC; (iv) Delays in ANC attendance. Recommendations Pregnant women should be educated in their communities about the importance of early booking of ANC. Benefits of antenatal care and educating pregnant women on the purpose of ANC to improve attendance of ANC should be emphasised. Midwives should provide health education on importance of attending ANC according to BANC model. Other recommendation include use Mobile clinics for women who do not have the time to go to the clinics as well use of outreach team campaigns to raise awareness about importance of early booking and attendance according to BANC model. Conclusions The study findings revealed that although pregnant women who attended ANC, did it for the wrong reasons, and they lacked the knowledge on the benefits of ANC. Health care workers also play their part in negatively influencing ANC attendance through malpractice. A number of factors and determinants of ANC attendance showed that there are still a lot of strategies that need to be introduced to encourage pregnant women to attend ANC. Pregnant women already attending ANC need further education to provide them with knowledge on the purposes of ANC services. Further research is required to develop health literacy.