Demographic predictors on traditional prenatal service uptake among rural Zimbabwean pregnant women

TL;DR

This study identifies demographic factors influencing the use of traditional prenatal care among pregnant women in rural Zimbabwe to improve maternal health policies.

Contribution

The study provides novel insights into specific demographic predictors of traditional prenatal care uptake in a rural Zimbabwean context.

Findings

Half of the pregnant women used traditional prenatal services, often in combination with conventional care.

Significant predictors included religion, parity, income, employment, and education level.

The model explained nearly half of the variance in traditional care adoption.

Abstract

This study aimed to identify demographic predictors influencing the uptake of traditional prenatal care among pregnant women in rural Zimbabwe to inform maternal health policies and programming.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Goromonzi District, focusing on Wards 1, 3, and 6. A census approach recruited 867 pregnant women identified through community health workers. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using binary logistic regression to evaluate the influence of demographic predictors, including age, education, income, employment, parity, marital status, religion, and health complications.

Half (50%) of respondents reported using traditional prenatal services, with 80% preferring a combination of traditional and conventional care. Significant predictors included African Traditional Religion (ATR) (OR = 19.144, p = 0.008), parity (OR = 12.962, p = 0.004), low income (OR = 9.991, p = 0.004), informal employment (OR = 5.134, p < 0.001), and primary education (OR = 5.966, p = 0.006). The model explained 48.4% of the variance in traditional care adoption (Nagelkerke R2 =0.484).

Integrated maternal health approaches respecting cultural practices, subsidized maternal services, and collaboration with traditional birth attendants could enhance maternal health outcomes in rural Zimbabwe.

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