Why do women not use antenatal services in low- and middle-income countries? A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Almost 50% of women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) don't receive adequate antenatal care. Women's views can offer important insights into this problem. Qualitative studies exploring inadequate use of antenatal services have been undertaken in a range of countries, but the findings are not easily transferable. We aimed to inform the development of future antenatal care programmes through a synthesis of findings in all relevant qualitative studies.

Methods and findings

Using a predetermined search strategy, we identified robust qualitative studies reporting on the views and experiences of women in LMICs who received inadequate antenatal care. We used meta-ethnographic techniques to generate themes and a line-of-argument synthesis. We derived policy-rele

SUBMITTER: Finlayson K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3551970 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature