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Abstract
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Article Information:
Access to Maternal Health Care Services in the Cape Coast Metropolitan Area, Ghana
D. Adei, Y.B. Fiscian, L. Ephraim and S.K. Diko
Corresponding Author: D. Adei
Submitted: 2011 September, 21
Accepted: 2011 November, 18
Published: 2012 January, 25 |
Abstract:
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Maternal mortality can be prevented if mothers had routine obstetric care and access to emergency
obstetric services. However, in accessing healthcare most expecting mothers will have to struggle with distance
and financial problems. The study sought to; assess the barriers that discourage women from accessing
antenatal, delivery and postnatal services in the Cape coast Metropolis and give recommendations to inform
policy. Questionnaire was administered to 150 pregnant women and nursing mothers with babies less than one
year from ten communities in the Cape Coast Metropolis. An institutional questionnaire was administered at
the University of Cape Coast Hospital which provides health care services to the communities. The study
revealed that challenges such as money (16.7%), distance (15.4%), and the behaviour of health personnel (20%)
were the dominant barriers to accessing antenatal, delivery and post natal services in the Cape Cost Metropolis.
These barriers lead to the inability of 14% of pregnant women and nursing mothers with babies less than one
year to adhere to the minimum antenatal visitation number of 5 recommended by the Royal College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Again 15.3% of these respondents were delivered by Traditional Birth
Attendants and family members, whiles 5.8% were unable to adhere to the minimum postnatal visitation of two
times. NGO’s and government organizations for women should organize training programmes aimed at
improving the livelihood or employment for women in these communities.
Key words: Antenatal care, community, delivery care, post-partum care, services, ,
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Cite this Reference:
D. Adei, Y.B. Fiscian, L. Ephraim and S.K. Diko, . Access to Maternal Health Care Services in the Cape Coast Metropolitan Area, Ghana. Current Research Journal of Social Sciences, (1): 12-20.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-3246
ISSN (Print): 2041-3238 |
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