Socio – Cultural Factors Affecting Antenatal Care Use in the Ga East Municipality

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence indicates that antenatal care coverage in Ghana is high and encouraging, however gap still exists in the continued use of public health facilities. Many pregnant women seek care from other different sources apart from the formal public health facility. This study sought to examine the knowledge of antenatal care use, to examine the socio –cultural factors that affected the use of Public Health antenatal care services, and also to determine alternative antenatal care practices being undertaken by pregnant women in the Ga East Municipality. Methods: A qualitative study of 25 in depth interviews were conducted at Abokobi, Aporman and Dome within the Ga East Municipality. This included twenty (20) pregnant women, accessing antenatal care at a Public Health facility. Three Traditional Birth Attendants two trained and one unskilled, and two (2) professionals (Midwives) from a Public Health facility took part in the study. Interviews and discussions were audio – taped and transcribed and coded into larger themes and categories. Results: Findings showed that pregnant women in the Ga East Municipality have knowledge of antenatal care services and use them. However, due to perceived threats and beliefs which are given socio-cultural interpretations, the women are driven to seek multiple sources of care. These simultaneous use of biomedical care, traditional birth attendants, herbalist, and spiritualist, affects continued use of antenatal care services from public health facilities. Conclusions: Antenatal care should be packaged to provide psychosocial support that helps women deal with pregnancy-related fear that makes them seek alternative sources to using the conventional public health facility.