Barriers and strategies needed to improve maternal health services among pregnant adolescents in Uganda: a qualitative study

Figures & data

Table 1. Characteristics of the 31 participants included in the study. Values are numbers.

Variables	n
Age (years) 15 16 17 18 19	2 4 9 11 5
Gestational weeks at time of interview 10–20 21-25 26–30 31-35	4 1 10 16
Level of education No education Primary school Secondary school Tertiary level/College	8 10 11 3
Employment status Employed Unemployed	5 26
Antenatal visits, n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7	14 4 6 2 2 2 1

Table 2. Illustration of the data analysis process.

Meaning units	Codes	Sub Categories	Generic Categories
I am financially handicapped, and I cannot afford some services. They are surely expensive for me	Lack finances	Lacking financial support	Barriers to Accessing maternal health services
The number of health workers should be increased	Increase number of health workers	Working conditions for health workers need to improve	Strategies needed for adequate maternal health services

Table 3. Generic categories and subcategories describing pregnant adolescent’s experiences with maternal health services.

Generic Categories	Sub Categories
Barriers to accessing maternal health services	Lacking financial support
	Difficulties in reaching health facilities
	Experiencing discrimination, disrespect, and lack of privacy
Strategies are needed for adequate maternal health services	Working conditions for health workers need to improve
	Awareness in community and health workers needs to be accelerated
	Men should be involved in maternal health care service