Women's perceptions of childbirth experience at a hospital in rural Tanzania

Health Care Women Int. 2013;34(6):461-81. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2012.708374. Epub 2013 Mar 7.

Abstract

Tanzania's health care provider shortage, especially in rural areas, makes it challenging to meet women's support needs in hospitals. We describe women's perceptions of childbirth support at a hospital in rural Tanzania. We interviewed 25 women within 24 hours after delivery using semistructured interviews. Most women sought life-saving technological support in case of complications. They also valued having family present to provide care and affection. Women's needs, however, were difficult to fulfill at this busy facility. Increasing women-centered childbirth support and recognizing family as important contributors may provide a strategy to meet the needs of both women and providers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Delivery, Obstetric / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Hospitals, Rural
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Labor, Obstetric / psychology*
  • Maternal Health Services / organization & administration
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Parturition / psychology*
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Perception*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Qualitative Research
  • Rural Health Services / organization & administration
  • Rural Population
  • Social Support
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Tanzania