Exploring the reasons why women prefer to give birth at home in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Skilled birth care during childbirth is reported in the literature as one critical strategy for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite the importance of birth care provided by skilled birth attendants, women in rural areas of northern Ghana still give birth utilising...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-020-03198-y |
| _version_ | 1818177200973676544 |
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| author | Peter Adatara Johanita Strumpher Esmeralda Ricks |
| author_facet | Peter Adatara Johanita Strumpher Esmeralda Ricks |
| author_sort | Peter Adatara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Skilled birth care during childbirth is reported in the literature as one critical strategy for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite the importance of birth care provided by skilled birth attendants, women in rural areas of northern Ghana still give birth utilising the birth services provided by Traditional Birth Attendants. The aim of this study,therefore, was to explore and describe the reasons why a small group of rural women chose homebirth in rural northern Ghana. Methods A qualitative approach was adopted to explore the reasons why women prefer to deliver at home in rural areas of northern Ghana. Individual interviews were used to obtain a full description of factors and experiences of women associated with home births in rural areas in Ghana. The research population consisted of 10 women who utilised birth care services provided by Traditional Birth Attendants in a rural community of northern Ghana. Data collected from the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed to identify themes. Results This study, which was conducted among a small group of women, yielded interesting results on why these women still give birth at home in rural northern Ghana. It was found out that perceived poor quality of care and conduct of skilled birth attendants; the perception that women received better care from Traditional Birth Attendants; financial constraints and lack of access to healthcare facilities in the rural areas by these women accounted for majority of the reasons why women in rural northern Ghana still give birth at home. Conclusion The study highlighted some barriers experienced by participants to the utilisation of birth care services provided by skilled birth attendants in rural northern Ghana. Management of healthcare facilities should facilitate the implementation of supportive supervision in the maternity units to improve the quality of care and attitude delivered by skilled birth attendants in maternity care in rural communities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T20:28:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e850aa0ec6494008b6c8a32362e1c559 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T20:28:19Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj.art-e850aa0ec6494008b6c8a32362e1c5592022-12-22T00:51:55ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932020-08-0120111010.1186/s12884-020-03198-yExploring the reasons why women prefer to give birth at home in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative studyPeter Adatara0Johanita Strumpher1Esmeralda Ricks2Department of Nursing, University of Health and Allied SciencesDepartment of Nursing, Nelson Mandela UniversityDepartment of Nursing, Nelson Mandela UniversityAbstract Background Skilled birth care during childbirth is reported in the literature as one critical strategy for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite the importance of birth care provided by skilled birth attendants, women in rural areas of northern Ghana still give birth utilising the birth services provided by Traditional Birth Attendants. The aim of this study,therefore, was to explore and describe the reasons why a small group of rural women chose homebirth in rural northern Ghana. Methods A qualitative approach was adopted to explore the reasons why women prefer to deliver at home in rural areas of northern Ghana. Individual interviews were used to obtain a full description of factors and experiences of women associated with home births in rural areas in Ghana. The research population consisted of 10 women who utilised birth care services provided by Traditional Birth Attendants in a rural community of northern Ghana. Data collected from the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed to identify themes. Results This study, which was conducted among a small group of women, yielded interesting results on why these women still give birth at home in rural northern Ghana. It was found out that perceived poor quality of care and conduct of skilled birth attendants; the perception that women received better care from Traditional Birth Attendants; financial constraints and lack of access to healthcare facilities in the rural areas by these women accounted for majority of the reasons why women in rural northern Ghana still give birth at home. Conclusion The study highlighted some barriers experienced by participants to the utilisation of birth care services provided by skilled birth attendants in rural northern Ghana. Management of healthcare facilities should facilitate the implementation of supportive supervision in the maternity units to improve the quality of care and attitude delivered by skilled birth attendants in maternity care in rural communities.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-020-03198-yReasonsWomen preferenceHome birthRural northernGhana |
| spellingShingle | Peter Adatara Johanita Strumpher Esmeralda Ricks Exploring the reasons why women prefer to give birth at home in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative study BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Reasons Women preference Home birth Rural northern Ghana |
| title | Exploring the reasons why women prefer to give birth at home in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Exploring the reasons why women prefer to give birth at home in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the reasons why women prefer to give birth at home in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the reasons why women prefer to give birth at home in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Exploring the reasons why women prefer to give birth at home in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | exploring the reasons why women prefer to give birth at home in rural northern ghana a qualitative study |
| topic | Reasons Women preference Home birth Rural northern Ghana |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-020-03198-y |
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