Journal Article

Contributing barriers to loss to follow up from antenatal care services in villages around Addis Ababa: a qualitative study

Abawollo, Hailemariam Segni, Desta, Binyam Fekadu, Mamo, Tsega Teferi, Mesele, Mestawot Getachew, Lose, Addisu Dabesa, Heyi, Atrie Fekadu, Tsegaye, Zergu Tafesse

2021

Overview

Background Problems during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum are the major contributors to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Focused antenatal care is an intervention set to provide basic services for pregnant women, to reduce morbidity and mortality related to pregnancy. In Ethiopia, there is a significant loss to follow up from antenatal care services between the first and fourth visits. The aim of this study is to explore the potential contributing barriers to loss to follow up of pregnant women from antenatal care services in villages around Addis Ababa, the capital city of the country. Methods A qualitative research method was used, where 20 in-depth interviews (zonal, woreda and health center managers, midwives and health extension workers were the participants) and three focus group discussions (mothers who were lost to follow up, mothers who completed four sessions of antenatal care visits, and community volunteers were the participants) were conducted. A qualitative data analysis software, ATLAS.ti 8, was applied. Results Inability to deliver essential antenatal care services which occurs primarily due to shortage of the required medical equipment, drugs, and other supplies is a major barrier for sustainable attendance of antenatal care services followed by poor care, respect, and receptiveness of service providers. Lack and cost of transport as well as partners’ approval and support were also claimed to be part of the major barriers. Community culture and pervious maternal experiences as well as maternal sociodemographic factors like maternal age at time of pregnancy and educational status of mothers were also reported as barriers to seeking and completion of antenatal care services. Conclusions Both demand and supply side barriers play a significant role in the loss to follow up from antenatal care services. Availing essential antenatal care services, closer to the community by improving the infrastructure, health workforce and supply chain system is recommended.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Age / ANC / ANC defaulter / ANC dropout / Attended births / Blood pressure / Continuum of care / Data analysis / Demographic aspects / Gynecology / Health facilities / Informed consent / Loss to follow up from ANC / Management / Maternal & child health / Maternal and Child Health / Maternal health services / Medical equipment / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Morbidity / Mortality / Mothers / Obstetrics / Pregnancy / Prenatal care / Qualitative research / Reproductive Medicine / Research Article / Social aspects / Sociodemographics / Software / Stillbirth / USAID transform:Primary health care / Womens health