Mothers' perceptions and experiences of using maternal health-care services in Rwanda

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Global Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Reducing barriers to maternal health care is vital for improving maternal health outcomes.
• Rwanda has made significant efforts to decrease maternal mortality, yet the ratio remains high.
• Further interventions are needed to address persistent challenges in maternal healthcare utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively explore mothers' perceptions and experiences with maternal health care services in Rwanda.
• To identify key factors influencing the suboptimal use of maternal health care.
• To inform strategies aimed at enhancing maternal healthcare access and utilization.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.
• Data collected from 45 women in Rwanda's Western and Eastern provinces (June-August 2014).
• Exploration of participants' views on barriers to maternal healthcare services.

Main Results:

• Geographical barriers significantly impact access to maternal health care.
• Financial constraints pose a substantial challenge for mothers seeking healthcare services.
• Socio-cultural factors also influence the utilization of maternal health care, highlighting complex interplays.

Conclusions:

• Mothers' perceptions and experiences are critical for understanding suboptimal maternal healthcare use.
• Addressing geographical, financial, and socio-cultural barriers is essential for improving maternal health in Rwanda.
• Findings underscore the need for context-specific strategies to reduce maternal mortality and negative health outcomes.