Challenges of maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest Ethiopia: interpretive description using a socio-ecological model

BackgroundThe maternity continuum of care plays a vital role in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, its uptake remains low in Ethiopia, highlighting the need to identify challenges within the primary health care system to inform practice. Hence, this study aimed to explore the challen...

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Main Authors: Muhabaw Shumye Mihret, Kassahun Alemu, Debrework Tesgera Beshah, Lemma Derseh Gezie, Kerstin Erlandsson, Helena Lindgren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1401988/full
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author Muhabaw Shumye Mihret
Kassahun Alemu
Debrework Tesgera Beshah
Lemma Derseh Gezie
Kerstin Erlandsson
Kerstin Erlandsson
Helena Lindgren
Helena Lindgren
author_facet Muhabaw Shumye Mihret
Kassahun Alemu
Debrework Tesgera Beshah
Lemma Derseh Gezie
Kerstin Erlandsson
Kerstin Erlandsson
Helena Lindgren
Helena Lindgren
author_sort Muhabaw Shumye Mihret
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe maternity continuum of care plays a vital role in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, its uptake remains low in Ethiopia, highlighting the need to identify challenges within the primary health care system to inform practice. Hence, this study aimed to explore the challenges of the maternity continuum of care within the primary health care system in northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn interpretive description approach was employed from March 3, 2022, to November 27, 2022, within the primary health care system in northwest Ethiopia. Maximum variation sampling was utilized, comprising 28 in-depth interviews, three focus group discussions with 29 participants, and four key informant interviews. The reflexive thematic analysis method was applied, and the results were mapped onto the constructs of the socio-ecological model.ResultsThe analysis identified four main themes: low maternity healthcare-seeking behavior (intrapersonal level), lack of peer and family support (interpersonal level), cultural influences on maternity care and low community responsiveness (community level), and inadequate health system readiness and response (health facility/system level). Some of the sub-themes include low health literacy and self-efficacy and misconceptions regarding maternity care at the intrapersonal level; peer and family pressure against seeking maternity care, low autonomy, and intimate partner violence at the interpersonal level; cultural influences on pregnancy disclosure and postnatal care and low social accountability at the community level; and delays in accessing ambulance services, long waiting times for maternity care, shortages of essential healthcare supplies, poor coordination of care, inadequate monitoring and evaluation, disrespectful maternity care, and dissatisfaction among healthcare workers at the health facility/system level.ConclusionIntrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and health facility- and system-level challenges have influenced the maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest Ethiopia. Since these challenges are interdependent, considering a holistic approach within primary health care could lead to an improved maternity continuum of care.
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spelling doaj-art-132096b0eb0845b5b3deae41daaa596f2025-08-20T02:39:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652024-12-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.14019881401988Challenges of maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest Ethiopia: interpretive description using a socio-ecological modelMuhabaw Shumye Mihret0Kassahun Alemu1Debrework Tesgera Beshah2Lemma Derseh Gezie3Kerstin Erlandsson4Kerstin Erlandsson5Helena Lindgren6Helena Lindgren7Department of Clinical Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SwedenDepartment for Health and Welfare, Dalarna University and School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Borlange, SwedenDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SwedenDepartment of Health Promotion, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, SwedenBackgroundThe maternity continuum of care plays a vital role in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, its uptake remains low in Ethiopia, highlighting the need to identify challenges within the primary health care system to inform practice. Hence, this study aimed to explore the challenges of the maternity continuum of care within the primary health care system in northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn interpretive description approach was employed from March 3, 2022, to November 27, 2022, within the primary health care system in northwest Ethiopia. Maximum variation sampling was utilized, comprising 28 in-depth interviews, three focus group discussions with 29 participants, and four key informant interviews. The reflexive thematic analysis method was applied, and the results were mapped onto the constructs of the socio-ecological model.ResultsThe analysis identified four main themes: low maternity healthcare-seeking behavior (intrapersonal level), lack of peer and family support (interpersonal level), cultural influences on maternity care and low community responsiveness (community level), and inadequate health system readiness and response (health facility/system level). Some of the sub-themes include low health literacy and self-efficacy and misconceptions regarding maternity care at the intrapersonal level; peer and family pressure against seeking maternity care, low autonomy, and intimate partner violence at the interpersonal level; cultural influences on pregnancy disclosure and postnatal care and low social accountability at the community level; and delays in accessing ambulance services, long waiting times for maternity care, shortages of essential healthcare supplies, poor coordination of care, inadequate monitoring and evaluation, disrespectful maternity care, and dissatisfaction among healthcare workers at the health facility/system level.ConclusionIntrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and health facility- and system-level challenges have influenced the maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest Ethiopia. Since these challenges are interdependent, considering a holistic approach within primary health care could lead to an improved maternity continuum of care.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1401988/fullchallengesmaternity continuum of carematernity servicesinterpretive descriptionprimary health care
spellingShingle Muhabaw Shumye Mihret
Kassahun Alemu
Debrework Tesgera Beshah
Lemma Derseh Gezie
Kerstin Erlandsson
Kerstin Erlandsson
Helena Lindgren
Helena Lindgren
Challenges of maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest Ethiopia: interpretive description using a socio-ecological model
Frontiers in Public Health
challenges
maternity continuum of care
maternity services
interpretive description
primary health care
title Challenges of maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest Ethiopia: interpretive description using a socio-ecological model
title_full Challenges of maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest Ethiopia: interpretive description using a socio-ecological model
title_fullStr Challenges of maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest Ethiopia: interpretive description using a socio-ecological model
title_full_unstemmed Challenges of maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest Ethiopia: interpretive description using a socio-ecological model
title_short Challenges of maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest Ethiopia: interpretive description using a socio-ecological model
title_sort challenges of maternity continuum of care within the primary health care in northwest ethiopia interpretive description using a socio ecological model
topic challenges
maternity continuum of care
maternity services
interpretive description
primary health care
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1401988/full
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