What rural pregnant women need - An insight into the lives and needs of the pregnant rural women of Tigray.

Abstract

Aim: Exploring the lives and activities of women and how this changes over the course of a pregnancy in order to receive a clear picture on their care needs and whether current modern care facilities and programs align to these needs. Background: Maternal health in Ethiopia remains a problem largely due to the extreme low utilization of modern health facilities, despite their accessibility. This hints towards a large discrepancy between women’s needs and what healthcare facilities and programs provide. Methods: Data was collected from February 2018 – May 2018. For the purpose of this research a mixed-method approach was adopted. In total 80 surveys were conducted of which 50 respondents also participated in an in-depth interview. Moreover, in-depth interviews with health officials and two structured observations were conducted in order to provide additional insight into the services provided by the health agents. Findings: Rural women largely experience a heavy domestic workload but during the maternal period receive much help from family and social capital. Concerning professional care, antenatal and delivery rate are relatively high, mainly due to the efforts of health extension workers by raising awareness within the community. Nevertheless, postnatal care remains extremely low due to religious restrictions and negative experiences during institutional delivery suggest room for improvement. Conclusion: Maternal health programs within Ethiopia must be adjusted to the local needs and conditions of women. Women’s perspectives must be considered for maternal health improvement. Programs such as the HEP would benefit a more inclusive approach that respects traditional norms together with professional modern healthcare in order to fulfill women’s needs.