Browsing by Author "Kitimai, Hidaya"

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    Factors that affect utilizatin of antenatal care services: a case of Mkuranga District, Coast region, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2018) Kitimai, Hidaya
    The study investigated factors that affect utilization of antenatal care services (ANC), a case of Mkuranga District, Coast region, Tanzania. Four specific objectives guide the study were. Specifically the study aimed to; explore social cultural beliefs that affect effective utilization of antenatal care services in Mkuranga District, investigate the roles of health providers in the provision of antenatal care in Mkuranga District, investigate health behaviors which affect the utilization of ANC facilities in Mkuranga District and suggest possible intervention measures to mitigate the factors that affect women from changing their health behaviours related to ANC in Mkuranga District. Purposive and random sampling techniques were both used to generate the required sample. Data were collected from fifty five women of reproductive age who are residents of Mkuranga district, three traditional birth attendants, two religious leaders, and three midwives, four men and two elderly women. Interviews, observations, and focus group discussions were used to collect primary data while secondary data were collected through documentary reviews. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed in response to the research questions. The study found factors such as reliance belief in traditional healers, lay people and fears of witchcraft have been affecting the utilization of ANC services in the district. Additionally, the study has revealed challenges such as distance, inadequate number of health providers, and low levels of education among others have contributed to the underutilization of ANC services. Therefore, the study recommends that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the private sector need to come up with an appropriate way to facilitate the integration of both men and women in the utilization of ANC services. Men need to be involved due to their great influence on family matters relative to women.