An analysis of births outside health facilities in Maseru Health Service Area Lesotho

[摘要] English: According to the Ministry of Health/Social Welfare, 95% of all pregnant womenattend ante-natal care at the health facility provided by skilled providers(MOH/SW, 2003:17). However, less than 50% of those pregnant women givebirth at the health facility.The aim of the study was to describe births outside a health facility as aphenomenon. The objectives were to identify the place of birth outside a healthfacility, identify who the helper/attendant was during the birth, identify thereasons why the women gave birth at home, explore the mothers experiencesregarding the birth, the outcomes of the health process, and describe culturalpractices adhered to during birth.A non-experimental descriptive and exploratory design with a survey as amethod was used. A semi-structured interview with an interview schedule withclosed ended and open ended questions were used to gather data. A purposesampling method was used to select 8 health facilities in the Maseru HealthService Area as well as 344 respondents for the study. Ethical principles relevantto conduct research involving human subjects was adhered to, such as obtainingthe necessary permission to enter the field and complying with the human rightsof the respondents. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data fromrespondents of all ages, living in town, peri-urban and rural settings of MaseruHealth Service Area. The methodology of the study was simply but thoroughlyexplained.The results of the study showed that women gave birth at home, assisted by theirmother or family members. The reasons why they gave birth at home were eitherintentional (e.g. wanted to be amongst family members) or unintentional (e.g.baby came too fast). The mothers experience regarding the birth was generallygood and the outcomes of the birth process were positive because there were nonegative consequences for mother and baby.Mothers gave birth at home with the help of a family member or TBA whosometimes is the only help available in the community and that is why one of therecommendations is to train the community members (e.g. traditional birthattendant) to support safe motherhood as well as the mothers right to choose herown place of birth.

[发布机构] University of the Free State