Knowledge of place of delivery and postnatal care among reproductive women in urban Ghana: a longitudinal qualitative study

Figures & data

Table 1. Key emerging themes.

Themes	Sub-themes	Quotes
Theme 1: knowledge on place of delivery	Intense ANC education Safety in facility delivery Confidence in TBAs Proximity to facility Religious beliefs of Clients Focused ANC	“You know… erh, I believe in my local people that they are good, that is why I always want to deliver at home. You see…they (TBAs) advised me to have the scan and do some tests and that is why I came here” (A pregnant mother from Sakora Wono, FG1) “…this is my fourth child and all were delivered here since the Nurse said my babies will be strong and fine” (A recently delivered mother from Antoa, FG2) “The Nurses told me that facility delivery is the safest and I should use it anytime I become pregnant” (A pregnant woman from Mamponteng, FG1) “Personally, I see the hospital to be close to me so I visit it anytime I become pregnant” (A pregnant woman from Asonomaso, FG1)
Theme 2: Attitude of caregivers	Poor attitude of staff Insensitivity among caregivers Disrespect for mothers Verbal abuse	“Here is different ooo… they (health staff) do not respect us at all, when you go in the morning they will say why are you coming so early? When you go there in the afternoon they will say why did not you come in the morning?…. In fact, they are insensitive and do not respect us all.” (A recently delivered woman from Antoa facility; FG2) “… Me for instance, I like them because they chat and smile to me anytime I come here even before my labour. I think this is why more people come here (Recently delivered woman from Asonomaso facility, FG1) “I came here one late afternoon and some Nurses gave me cheeky looks. They then asked why will I come here so late but I felt fearful to tell them my problem” A pregnant woman from Asonomaso, FG1
Theme 3: Knowledge on postnatal care	Intensive care Improved mother care Enhanced newborn care BP, HIV, hepatitis B tests Uterus checking Birth weight	“As I told you earlier, ehmm…what we as the Municipal health directorate do is that, mothers and their newborn babies are always put under intensive care for at least six hours to make sure their conditions are normal and free from any form of complications” (Municipal Public Health Nurse) “Sir, they checked for my blood pressure, and did hepatitis B and HIV test. It is good for me I now know all those things, though I was afraid of COVID” (Recently delivered woman from Asonomaso facility, FG1) They took care of my baby and myself some hours after I delivered. The Nurses say they do that to check against complications after birth. (FG2, a recently delivered woman from Antoa facility) “We as a health directorate, offer all services to both pregnant and recently delivered women” (Municipal Health Nurse)
Theme 4: satisfaction on place of delivery	Service satisfaction There is comfort Punctuality of nurses Family support	“My family supports me all the time, especially during the COVID lockdown, my husband was at home and will drive me here anytime I come to see the Nurses. They also advised me not to miss my ANC sessions.” (A pregnant woman from Asonomaso, FG1) “Since I am a government worker, I always come here early before I go to work and the Nurses here aren’t late to duty. I feel comfortable here.” (A pregnant woman from Mamponteng, FG1) “Due to family support, this is my third pregnancy and I always deliver with the help of the TBA although my family always advises me to come for ANC and this is why I am here.” (FG 2, a pregnant woman from Antoa facility)

Data availability statement

All data supporting findings are available upon request.