Women's Barriers to Access Maternal Healthcare Services in Southern Highlands of Tanzania: A Case of Meta Maternity Hospital

Godphrey G. Kyambille; Aloys Mvuma; Dina Machuve; Bernadether Rugumisa; Revocatus Mang'ara

doi:10.37284/eajhs.6.1.1415

Godphrey G. Kyambille Mbeya University of Science and Technology
Aloys Mvuma Mbeya University of Science and Technology
Dina Machuve Mbeya University of Science and Technology
Bernadether Rugumisa Mbeya University of Science and Technology
Revocatus Mang'ara Mbeya University of Science and Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37284/eajhs.6.1.1415

Keywords: Maternal, Healthcare, Reproductive, Barriers, Antenatal

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Abstract

The improvement of maternal healthcare (MHC) is a global priority. However, barriers to accessing maternal healthcare services (MHCS) impede progress toward achieving sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5. The demand for maternal healthcare services (MHCS) is especially obvious in underdeveloped countries, where several obstacles restrict access to healthcare. This study aimed to identify obstacles to accessing maternal healthcare services. The primary objective of data collection questionnaires was to identify the variables influencing women's access to reproductive and maternal healthcare services. Between September 2022 and January 2023, 374 respondents' information was gathered and then thematically examined, the observed obstacles to using and obtaining maternal healthcare services were physical barriers, social obstacles, cultural obstacles, organization obstacles, and financial obstacles. The results of this study show that there must be a way to get around the problems listed above in order to improve access to maternal and reproductive health services

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