Factors affecting early identification of pregnant women by community health workers in Morogoro, Tanzania.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is recommended that Antenatal Care (ANC) be initiated within the first trimester of pregnancy for essential interventions, such folic acid supplementation, to be effective. In Tanzania, only 24% of mothers attend their first ANC appointment during their first trimester. Studies have shown that women who have had contact with a health worker are more likely to attend their first antenatal care appointment earlier in pregnancy. Community health workers (CHWs) are in an opportune position to be this contact. This study explored CHW experiences with identifying women early in gestation to refer them to facility-based antenatal care services in Morogoro, Tanzania.

Methods

This qualitative study employed 10 semi-structured focus group discussions, 5 with 34 CHWs and

SUBMITTER: Frumence G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6615291 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature