Womens' opinions on antenatal care in developing countries: results of a study in Cuba, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Argentina.
BACKGROUND
The results of a qualitative study carried out in four developing countries (Cuba, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Argentina) are presented. The study was conducted in the context of a randomised controlled trial to test the benefits of a new antenatal care protocol that reduced the number of visits to the doctor, rationalised the application of technology, and improved the provision of information to women in relation to the traditional protocol applied in each country.


METHODS
Through focus groups discussions we were able to assess the concepts and expectations underlying women's evaluation of concepts and experiences of the care received in antenatal care clinics. 164 women participated in 24 focus groups discussion in all countries.


RESULTS
Three areas are particularly addressed in this paper: a) concepts about pregnancy and health care, b) experience with health services and health providers, and c) opinions about the modified Antenatal Care (ANC) programme. In all three topics similarities were identified as well as particular opinions related to country specific social and cultural values. In general women have a positive view of the new ANC protocol, particularly regarding the information they receive. However, controversial issues emerged such as the reduction in the number of visits, particularly in Cuba where women are used to have 18 ANC visits in one pregnancy period.


CONCLUSIONS
Recommendations to improve ANC services performance are being proposed. Any country interested in the application of a new ANC protocol should regard the opinion and acceptability of women towards changes.
Nigenda
Gustavo
G
Fundación Mexicana para la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico. gnigenda@funsalud.org.mx
Langer
Ana
A
Kuchaisit
Chusri
C
Romero
Mariana
M
Rojas
Georgina
G
Al-Osimy
Muneera
M
Villar
José
J
Garcia
Jo
J
Al-Mazrou
Yagob
Y
Ba'aqeel
Hassan
H
Carroli
Guillermo
G
Farnot
Ubaldo
U
Lumbiganon
Pisake
P
Belizán
José
J
Bergsjo
Per
P
Bakketeig
Leiv
L
Lindmark
Gunilla
G
D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003462:Cuba; D003469:Culture; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification; D009819:Office Visits; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012945:Social Values; D013785:Thailand; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*