Assess Perceptions of Women and Nurse-Midwives on Antenatal Care and Important Laboratory Tests

Abstract

Background:
Antenatal care (ANC) is essential in improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes by providing education, counseling, disease screening, and treatment. Despite the increasing number of women attending ANC visits, maternal and infant mortality rates remain a significant global challenge, particularly in areas with limited access to high-quality care. Effective communication between nurse-midwives and pregnant women plays a crucial role in ensuring that health information about important laboratory tests and important laboratory tests is delivered clearly and respectfully. However, there is evidence that gaps in communication and the quality of ANC information about important laboratory tests and importance of antenatal laboratory tests persist, potentially affecting pregnancy outcomes. This study explores the perceptions of both pregnant women and nurse-midwives regarding the communication and important laboratory tests provided during ANC visits.
Methods:
A descriptive qualitative research design using thematic analysis was employed to explore the experiences of 16 participants: 11 pregnant women and 5 nurse-midwives. The study was conducted in three health centers located in semi-urban and rural districts, all with high antenatal care attendance. Purposive sampling was used to select women who had attended at least three ANC visits. In-depth interviews were conducted using a structured guide, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and subthemes.
Results:
Key findings indicated that positive communication was facilitated by the freedom to interact with nurse-midwives and the respectful and confidential manner in which information about important laboratory tests was provided. However, barriers to effective communication included nurse-midwives’ busy schedules and the use of unpleasant language. In terms of information about important laboratory tests provision, women were generally advised on maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and preparing for childbirth, but gaps in counseling on stress management and some pregnancy danger signs were reported.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the critical role of communication in antenatal care. While most women valued respectful interactions and the information about important laboratory tests provided, challenges such as time constraints and communication barriers hindered the quality of ANC. There is a need for improved training for nurse-midwives on effective communication skills, ensuring consistent, comprehensive, and respectful delivery of health information about important laboratory tests to enhance pregnancy outcomes. Addressing these gaps could lead to improved maternal and neonatal health, contributing to the reduction of mortality rates.