Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Perinatal deaths in Lusaka, Zambia: Mothers' experiences and perceptions of care.Objective: To explore and analyse mothers' personal experiences and perceptions of care around the time of a perinatal death and early neonatal death in health facilities of Lusaka.Purpose: This study focused on the experiences, perceptions and needs of women who experienced perinatal loss in a health facility in Lusaka, Zambia.The purpose was to analyse aspects of care and support services received by these women and to make recommendations for appropriate service design.Research Design and Method: A purposive sampling method was adopted using a social mapping strategy where ten women above the age of 18 years were selected.A qualitative design was used to enable participants to talk about their perceptions of care and support around the time of a perinatal and early neonatal loss.Data were collected using unstructured interviews following a question guide.The interviews were captured verbatim using a tape recorder and were later transcribed.The results were interpreted through a Grounded Theory methodology that induced reasoning and developed theories grounded from the data gathered.Results: A total of ten mothers individually shared their perceptions of care and support.The analysis of the interviews resulted in the identification of six themes namely; following advice of friends and relatives, referral for specialist care, inadequate emergency care, neglectful and disrespectful care, poor communication and the need for psychosocial and emotional support.Conclusion: The study revealed that perinatal loss is emotionally devastating and difficult for the mother.The study further revealed that psychosocial and emotional supportive services are either unavailable or are not fully utilised.These issues have received little attention from policy makers and health providers.The findings give rise to several recommendations for improving community, clinical care practice of nursing and health care support services.
Author: Irene Miti Singogo
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2590023537