A qualitative study of women's network social support and facility delivery in rural Ghana
Author
Cofie, Leslie E.; Barrington, Clare; Sodzi-Tettey, Sodzi; Ennett, Susan; Maman, Suzzane; Singh, Kavita
Abstract
Similar to many sub-Saharan African countries, maternal mortality in Ghana ranks among
the highest (39th) globally. Prior research has demonstrated the impact of social network
characteristics on health facility delivery in sub-Saharan Africa. However, in-depth examination of the function of all members in a woman’s network, in providing various types of support for the woman’s pregnancy and related care, is limited. We qualitatively explore how
women’s network social support influences facility delivery. Qualitative data came from a
mixed methods evaluation of a Maternal and Newborn Health Referral project in Ghana. In
2015 we conducted in-depth interviews with mothers (n = 40) and husbands (n = 20), and 4
focus group interviews with mothers-in-law. Data were analyzed using narrative summaries
and thematic coding procedures to first examine women’s network composition during their
pregnancy and childbirth experiences. We then compared those who had homebirths versus facility births on how network social support influenced their place of childbirth. Various
network members were involved in providing women with social support. We found differences in how informational and instrumental support impacted women’s place of childbirth.
Network members of women who had facility delivery mobilized resources to support women’s facility delivery. Among women who had homebirth but their network members advocated for them to have facility delivery, members delayed making arrangements for the
women’s facility delivery. Women who had homebirth, and their network members advocated homebirth, received support to give birth at home. Network support for women’s pregnancy-related care affects their place of childbirth. Hence, maternal health interventions
must develop strategies to prioritize informational and instrumental support for facility-based
pregnancy and delivery care.
Date
2018-11-06
Citation:
APA:
Cofie, Leslie E., & Barrington, Clare, & Sodzi-Tettey, Sodzi, & Ennett, Susan, & Maman, Suzzane, & Singh, Kavita. (November 2018).
A qualitative study of women's network social support and facility delivery in rural Ghana.
,
(),
-
. Retrieved from
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8380
MLA:
Cofie, Leslie E., and Barrington, Clare, and Sodzi-Tettey, Sodzi, and Ennett, Susan, and Maman, Suzzane, and Singh, Kavita.
"A qualitative study of women's network social support and facility delivery in rural Ghana". .
. (),
November 2018.
September 27, 2023.
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8380.
Chicago:
Cofie, Leslie E. and Barrington, Clare and Sodzi-Tettey, Sodzi and Ennett, Susan and Maman, Suzzane and Singh, Kavita,
"A qualitative study of women's network social support and facility delivery in rural Ghana," , no.
(November 2018),
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8380 (accessed
September 27, 2023).
AMA:
Cofie, Leslie E., Barrington, Clare, Sodzi-Tettey, Sodzi, Ennett, Susan, Maman, Suzzane, Singh, Kavita.
A qualitative study of women's network social support and facility delivery in rural Ghana. .
November 2018;
():
.
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8380. Accessed
September 27, 2023.
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