User and community coping responses to service delivery gaps in emergency obstetric care provision in a rural community in Ghana

Abstract

The study sought to explore user and community responses to service delivery gaps in emergency obstetric care provision in rural Ghana. A qualitative design was employed to draw evidence from observations, interviews and focus group discussion among healthcare providers, clients and community members. Data processing and analysis followed a thematic approach. Findings reveal community interference in obstetric care delivery processes, reliance on unskilled providers, recourse to local oxytocin use, non-compliance to prescribed treatment and mistrust in healthcare providers as user and community coping mechanisms for perceived poor quality obstetric care. These behaviours have serious consequences on the life chances of pregnant women. and parturient women. The need to adapt to a more responsive and affordable national healthcare delivery system is essential for uptake of services in rural areas. Also, Standardized guidelines to regulate health worker behaviour is critical to instilling trust in the healthcare system.