Accessibility to and utilization of maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) services by rural women: A case study of health centres in Mutare district based on the 3 delays model

Netsai P. Ndhlovu-Ncube; Greanious A. Mavondo; Obadiah Moyo; Chikuse F. Farai; Ndhlovu T. Chitonga; Mavondo Joy; Mkhwanazi B. Nkazimulo; Musarurwa Cuthbert; Cynthia N. Chaibva

doi:10.5897/IJMMS2020.1440

International Journal of
Medicine and Medical Sciences

Abbreviation: Int. J. Med. Med. Sci.
Language: English
ISSN: 2006-9723
DOI: 10.5897/IJMMS
Start Year: 2009
Published Articles: 535

Full Length Research Paper

Accessibility to and utilization of maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) services by rural women: A case study of health centres in Mutare district based on the 3 delays model

Netsai P. Ndhlovu-Ncube

Netsai P. Ndhlovu-Ncube
Graduate School of Busines, National University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Commerce, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
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Greanious A. Mavondo

Greanious A. Mavondo
Pathology Department, National University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine Mpilo Hospital NUST Complex, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
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Obadiah Moyo

Obadiah Moyo
Office of The Honourable Minister, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Chikuse F. Farai

Chikuse F. Farai
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia.
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Ndhlovu T. Chitonga

Ndhlovu T. Chitonga
Department of Anaesthesia, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa.
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Mavondo Joy

Mavondo Joy
Dalony Distributors (Pvt) LTD, 122 Josiah Tongogara Street, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
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Mkhwanazi B. Nkazimulo

Mkhwanazi B. Nkazimulo
Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
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Musarurwa Cuthbert

Musarurwa Cuthbert
Chemical Pathology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Cynthia N. Chaibva

Cynthia N. Chaibva
Nursing and Midwifery Department, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
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Article Number - BF05ABA69449
Vol.14(2), pp. 33-53 , July 2022
https://doi.org/10.5897/IJMMS2020.1440

Received: 11 December 2020
Accepted: 19 March 2021
Published: 31 July 2022

Abstract

High maternal, neonatal and child mortality rate constituting about 70% of the population in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean rural women have faced challenges in accessing and utilizing Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) services. Rural areas in Zimbabwe have had high prevalence of home deliveries and pregnancy related complications associated with lack of access to and utilization of MNCH services, resulting in high maternal, stillbirths, new-born, neonatal and infant mortality rates. Access to and utilisation of MNCH services and facilities by rural based pregnant women has been limited by several issues that have been explored and assessed in the Primary Health Care clinics. However, the 3 delays (seek, access and receive health service) effects on the factors affecting health care and outcomes remain largely unclear in rural settings. Qualitative and quantitative methods research was conducted in Mutare district, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. Data collection tools including interviews questionnaires and focus group discussion guides were used to show how the three delays affected health service access in the district. GraphPad InStat Software and Statistical Package for Social Science were used for data analysis. Religious and cultural beliefs contributed to patient delays in seeking healthcare. With long distances and lack of transport attributed to Delays 1 and 2 with, drug unavailability, up-to date equipment and delay causing Delay 3. The patient, the provider and health systems were critical in accessibility, utilization and linkages of MNCH with other health services being crucial for achieving 4th and 5th Millennium Development Goals the targets.

Key words: Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Services, new-born; neonatal-infant mortality, three-delay model, Mutare District, child bearing Age.

Abbreviation

MNCH, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health, MoHCC, Ministry of Health and Child Welfare; EmONC, Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care, PHC, Primary Health Clinic, WCBA, Women of Child Bearing Age.