Community perspectives on the determinants of maternal health in rural southern Mozambique: a qualitative study
Background Mozambique has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The main influences on maternal health encompass social, economic, political, environmental and cultural determinants of health. To effectively address maternal mortality in the post-2015 agenda, interve...
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BMC
2021
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0217-x http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4495 |
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| author | Firoz, Tabassum Vidler, Marianne Makanga, Prestige Tatenda Boene, Helena Chiaú, Rogério Sevene, Esperança Magee, Laura A. von Dadelszen, Peter Munguambe, Khátia The CLIP Working Group |
| author_facet | Firoz, Tabassum Vidler, Marianne Makanga, Prestige Tatenda Boene, Helena Chiaú, Rogério Sevene, Esperança Magee, Laura A. von Dadelszen, Peter Munguambe, Khátia The CLIP Working Group |
| author_sort | Firoz, Tabassum |
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| description | Background
Mozambique has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The main influences on maternal health encompass social, economic, political, environmental and cultural determinants of health. To effectively address maternal mortality in the post-2015 agenda, interventions need to consider the determinants of health so that their delivery is not limited to the health sector. The objective of this exploratory qualitative study was to identify key community groups’ perspectives on the perceived determinants of maternal health in rural areas of southern Mozambique.
Methods
Eleven focus group discussions were conducted with women of reproductive age, pregnant women, matrons, male partners, community leaders and health workers. Participants were recruited using sampling techniques of convenience and snow balling. Focus groups had an average of nine participants each. The heads of 12 administrative posts were also interviewed to understand the local context. Data were coded and analysed thematically using NVivo software.
Results
A broad range of political, economic, socio-cultural and environmental determinants of maternal health were identified by community representatives. It was perceived that the civil war has resulted in local unemployment and poverty that had a number of downstream effects including lack of funds for accessing medical care and transport, and influence on socio-cultural determinants, particularly gender relations that disadvantaged women. Socio-cultural determinants included intimate partner violence toward women, and strained relationships with in-laws and co-spouses. Social relationships were complex as there were both negative and positive impacts on maternal health. Environmental determinants included natural disasters and poor access to roads and transport exacerbated by the wet season and subsequent flooding.
Conclusions
In rural southern Mozambique, community perceptions of the determinants of maternal health included political, economic, socio-cultural and environmental factors. These determinants were closely linked with one another and highlight the importance of including the local history, context, culture and geography in the design of maternal health programs. |
| format | Article |
| id | ir-11408-4495 |
| institution | My University |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ir-11408-44952022-06-27T13:49:06Z Community perspectives on the determinants of maternal health in rural southern Mozambique: a qualitative study Firoz, Tabassum Vidler, Marianne Makanga, Prestige Tatenda Boene, Helena Chiaú, Rogério Sevene, Esperança Magee, Laura A. von Dadelszen, Peter Munguambe, Khátia The CLIP Working Group Maternal health Pregnancy Determinants of health Disparities Poverty Background Mozambique has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The main influences on maternal health encompass social, economic, political, environmental and cultural determinants of health. To effectively address maternal mortality in the post-2015 agenda, interventions need to consider the determinants of health so that their delivery is not limited to the health sector. The objective of this exploratory qualitative study was to identify key community groups’ perspectives on the perceived determinants of maternal health in rural areas of southern Mozambique. Methods Eleven focus group discussions were conducted with women of reproductive age, pregnant women, matrons, male partners, community leaders and health workers. Participants were recruited using sampling techniques of convenience and snow balling. Focus groups had an average of nine participants each. The heads of 12 administrative posts were also interviewed to understand the local context. Data were coded and analysed thematically using NVivo software. Results A broad range of political, economic, socio-cultural and environmental determinants of maternal health were identified by community representatives. It was perceived that the civil war has resulted in local unemployment and poverty that had a number of downstream effects including lack of funds for accessing medical care and transport, and influence on socio-cultural determinants, particularly gender relations that disadvantaged women. Socio-cultural determinants included intimate partner violence toward women, and strained relationships with in-laws and co-spouses. Social relationships were complex as there were both negative and positive impacts on maternal health. Environmental determinants included natural disasters and poor access to roads and transport exacerbated by the wet season and subsequent flooding. Conclusions In rural southern Mozambique, community perceptions of the determinants of maternal health included political, economic, socio-cultural and environmental factors. These determinants were closely linked with one another and highlight the importance of including the local history, context, culture and geography in the design of maternal health programs. 2021-11-10T12:36:04Z 2021-11-10T12:36:04Z 2016 Article 1742-4755 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0217-x http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4495 en Reproductive Health;Vol. 13; No. 112 open BMC |
| spellingShingle | Maternal health Pregnancy Determinants of health Disparities Poverty Firoz, Tabassum Vidler, Marianne Makanga, Prestige Tatenda Boene, Helena Chiaú, Rogério Sevene, Esperança Magee, Laura A. von Dadelszen, Peter Munguambe, Khátia The CLIP Working Group Community perspectives on the determinants of maternal health in rural southern Mozambique: a qualitative study |
| title | Community perspectives on the determinants of maternal health in rural southern Mozambique: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Community perspectives on the determinants of maternal health in rural southern Mozambique: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Community perspectives on the determinants of maternal health in rural southern Mozambique: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Community perspectives on the determinants of maternal health in rural southern Mozambique: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Community perspectives on the determinants of maternal health in rural southern Mozambique: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | community perspectives on the determinants of maternal health in rural southern mozambique: a qualitative study |
| topic | Maternal health Pregnancy Determinants of health Disparities Poverty |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0217-x http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4495 |
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