A qualitative study of women's network social support and facility delivery in rural Ghana

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Leslie E,Barrington,Clare,Sodzi-Tettey,Sodzi,Ennett,Susan Cofie (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Similar to many sub-Saharan African countries, maternal mortality in Ghana ranks amongthe highest (39th) globally. Prior research has demonstrated the impact of social networkcharacteristics on health facility delivery in sub-Saharan Africa. However, in-depth examination of the function of all members in a woman"s network, in providing various types of support for the woman"s pregnancy and related care, is limited. We qualitatively explore howwomen"s network social support influences facility delivery. Qualitative data came from amixed methods evaluation of a Maternal and Newborn Health Referral project in Ghana. In2015 we conducted in-depth interviews with mothers (n = 40) and husbands (n = 20), and 4focus group interviews with mothers-in-law. Data were analyzed using narrative summariesand thematic coding procedures to first examine women"s network composition during theirpregnancy and childbirth experiences. We then compared those who had homebirths versus facility births on how network social support influenced their place of childbirth. Variousnetwork members were involved in providing women with social support. We found differences in how informational and instrumental support impacted women"s place of childbirth.Network members of women who had facility delivery mobilized resources to support women"s facility delivery. Among women who had homebirth but their network members advocated for them to have facility delivery, members delayed making arrangements for thewomen"s facility delivery. Women who had homebirth, and their network members advocated homebirth, received support to give birth at home. Network support for women"s pregnancy-related care affects their place of childbirth. Hence, maternal health interventionsmust develop strategies to prioritize informational and instrumental support for facility-basedpregnancy and delivery care.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2018

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