Exploring the effects of pregnant women’s perceptions towards first trimester attendance at Area 25 antenatal clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi
Loading...
Date
2021-03-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of the study: This is a research project which will qualitatively explore the perceptions of
pregnant women towards first trimester attendance at Area 25 antenatal clinic in Lilongwe,
Malawi.
Problem: Malawi is among countries with high maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Sub Saharan
Africa with 439 deaths/100,000 live births in 2016. According to World Health Organisation
guidelines which are currently in use, antenatal care in the first trimester is one of the key
interventions in reducing the maternal mortality ratio. Despite this being the case only 24% of
the pregnant women in Malawi start antenatal care in the first trimester. Furthermore, only 15%
of pregnant women at area 25 health centre attend antenatal care in the first trimester. Women
who do not comply with first trimester attendance are at increased risk of poor pregnancy
outcomes, maternal and neonatal mortality.
Pregnant women’s perception towards first trimester attendance, crucially impacts utilization of
the antenatal services and hence pregnancy outcomes. However, these perceptions are not clearly
understood. Understanding of the pregnant women’s perceptions towards first trimester attendance
and how such perceptions are linked to actual first trimester attendance is critical in finding
appropriate strategies for preventing avoidable maternal and neonatal deaths.
To my knowledge, no study in Malawi has been done which qualitatively explored pregnant
women’s perceptions towards first trimester attendance using the Health Belief Model hence the
need for the study.
Objective: To explore the perceptions of pregnant women towards first trimester attendance at
area 25 antenatal clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. Methods A qualitative exploratory study design will be employed. The study setting is at area 25
antenatal clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. Pregnant women attending antenatal clinic between the
ages of 18 to 49 years will be purposefully sampled. In depth interviews and focused group
discussions will be conducted using the topic guide. In depth interviews will also be done to key
informants who will be midwives working at the antenatal clinic. Data will be analysed manually
where by codes will be identified, merged and organised into themes.
Possible constraints: The findings of the study will not be generalized due to small sample size
which lack representability and comparability. However, qualitative methods aim at the depth
and that findings can be applicable in similar setting. There will be little time to conduct the
study because the investigator will also have to go through other program modules. The resources
to conduct the study are also limited
Expected findings: The study will establish interventions that may promote first trimester
attendance
Dissemination: The study findings will be disseminated to COMREC, management team of the
study site through dissemination meetings. The dissertation will also be submitted for possible
publication in the peer reviewed journals.
Source of funding: The funding will be from the salary savings to make sure the research project
is done looking at the significance of the study.