Accessibility to and utilization of maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) services by rural women: A case study of health centres in Mutare district based on the 3 delays model
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Date
2022
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Academic Journals
Abstract
High maternal, neonatal and child mortality rate constituting about 70% of the population in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwean rural women have faced challenges in accessing and utilizing Maternal, Neonatal and
Child Health (MNCH) services. Rural areas in Zimbabwe have had high prevalence of home deliveries
and pregnancy related complications associated with lack of access to and utilization of MNCH
services, resulting in high maternal, stillbirths, new-born, neonatal and infant mortality rates. Access to
and utilisation of MNCH services and facilities by rural based pregnant women has been limited by
several issues that have been explored and assessed in the Primary Health Care clinics. However, the 3
delays (seek, access and receive health service) effects on the factors affecting health care and
outcomes remain largely unclear in rural settings. Qualitative and quantitative methods research was
conducted in Mutare district, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. Data collection tools including
interviews questionnaires and focus group discussion guides were used to show how the three delays
affected health service access in the district. GraphPad InStat Software and Statistical Package for
Social Science were used for data analysis. Religious and cultural beliefs contributed to patient delays
in seeking healthcare. With long distances and lack of transport attributed to Delays 1 and 2 with, drug
unavailability, up-to date equipment and delay causing Delay 3. The patient, the provider and health
systems were critical in accessibility, utilization and linkages of MNCH with other health services being
crucial for achieving 4th and 5th Millennium Development Goals the targets.
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Citation
Ndhlovu-Ncube, N.P. et al. (2022) Accessibility to and utilization of maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) services by rural women: A case study of health centres in Mutare district based on the 3 delays modelInternational Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences v. 14(2):33-53