Exploring the effects of pregnant women’s perceptions towards first trimester attendance at Area 25 antenatal clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi
| dc.contributor.author | Nyando, Modesta | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-11-25T12:20:06Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-11-25T12:20:06Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021-03-04 | |
| dc.description.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. | en_US |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://rscarchive.kuhes.ac.mw/handle/20.500.12988/496 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences | en_US |
| dc.relation.ispartofseries | Ethics Protocol;P.11/20/3206 | |
| dc.title | Exploring the effects of pregnant women’s perceptions towards first trimester attendance at Area 25 antenatal clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi | en_US |
| dc.type | Plan or blueprint | en_US |