A Qualitative Study: An Examination Of The Pregnant Woman’s Experience ; The Utilisation Of Prenatal And Maternal Services By Pregnant Adolescents And Rural Women In Selected Districts In Zimbabwe

Job Summary

Background
In 2017, Zimbabwe was ranked among the 15 countries that were considered to be ‘very high alert’ or ‘high alert’ with MMRs ranging from 31 to 1150 on the Fragile States Index [2]. Maternal mortality in Zimbabwe remains pervasive and some women opt for community delivery due to negative labels attached to health facilities [10]. Such labels include exorbitant costs of services, poor attitudes of health providers, extended waiting times, and geographical barriers like long distances between residences and health facility. Rural women are at a significantly higher risk of dying from pregnancy when compared to women living in urban settings [11, 12]. Adolescent pregnancy remains a major contributor to maternal and child mortality. Zimbabwe’s government in April of 2021 reported nearly 5,000 teenage girls became pregnant in January and February and about 1,800 entered early marriages during the same period, which is concerning considering the maternity mortality rates. Complications relating to pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19.
The main purpose of this study is to describe the utilisation of antenatal and maternal services and identify and describe factors that will promote the utilisation of antenatal and maternal services by pregnant adolescents and rural women in selected District, Zimbabwe. Factors that affect the underutilisation of antenatal and maternal services by pregnant adolescents and rural women in selected districts in Zimbabwe will also be identified and described. This information will be used to recommend ways in which the antenatal and maternal services in selected districts in Zimbabwe will become more accessible to pregnant adolescents and rural women.

Objectives of the study
The objectives of the study are as follows:
1. Describe the policy and legal framework and related gaps that support the utilisation of prenatal and maternal services by pregnant adolescents and rural women in selected districts in Zimbabwe
2. describe the utilisation of prenatal and maternal services by pregnant adolescents and rural women in selected districts in Zimbabwe.
3. to document the obstacles adolescent girls and women face in seeking pre-natal and maternal care
4. Document the barriers that keep health practitioners from adequately caring for pregnant women
5. Document the factors that keep women from advocating for maternal health
6. identify possible barriers that may prevent pregnant adolescents and rural women from utilising the antenatal services.
7. Proffer recommendations and strategies that will promote antenatal and maternal service usage by pregnant adolescents- and rural women in selected districts in Zimbabwe .

Methodology: This study seeks to use feminist storytelling and other qualitative approaches as a methodology

Research Questions:
The following research questions will direct this study:
1. What is the policy and legal framework and related gaps that support the utilisation of prenatal and maternal services by pregnant adolescents and rural women in selected districts in Zimbabwe?
2. What are the factors that promote adequate utilisation of antenatal and maternal services by pregnant adolescents and rural women in Zimbabwe?
3. What have been the experiences in accessing adequate utilisation of antenatal and maternal services by pregnant adolescents and rural women in Zimbabwe
4. What are the barriers that prevent pregnant adolescents and rural women from utilising the antenatal services?
5. What are the challenges faced by pregnant adolescents and rural women in advocating for adequate access to antenatal and maternal services?
6. What are experiences and the barriers that keep health practitioners from adequately caring for pregnant women
7. What strategies could be developed will promote antenatal usage by pregnant adolescents?

Duties And Responsibilities

Deliverables:
The Consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:
• A detailed research paper that includes narratives of the experiences by pregnant adolescents and rural women in accessing experiences that adequate utilisation of antenatal and maternal services can be utilised in lobbying
• A compilation of case studies or narratives of the experiences of health workers in providing of antenatal and maternal services to pregnant adolescent and rural women .
• A policy brief paper that can be used for lobbying
• A position paper that can be used for lobbying
• Power point presentations and ability to present finding to multi-stakeholders