Access to Maternal Health for Women in Guruve District in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Rural communities in Zimbabwe face challenges accessing health care facilities due to a number of factors. The country is a signatory to maternal health care global and regional commitments in order to curb maternal health issues. This study sought to unpack the issues on the access to maternal health for women in rural communities, and strategies used to improve the access to maternal health through facilitating the availability of health care centres in local communities of Zimbabwe. This research adopted a case study research approach on three local authorities from Guruve district, specifically Guruve’s rural areas. The research employed mixed methods research tools; the qualitative tools being in-depth interviews, informal conversations, observations, document analysis and lived stories on a purposive sample of interest to gather both primary and secondary data relevant to the study. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires which were distributed using the simple random sampling. Data was analysed through thematic analysis and as narratives. Microsoft excel pivot tables presented the data through use of tables and graphs. Results indicate that women face challenges in accessing health care services in rural areas that include physical, economic, technological access to health care and these are compounded by political, socio-economic, cultural and religious factors at play in Guruve district rural areas. This study concluded that maternal health care access remains a challenge in rural areas as the Zimbabwean broken health care system keep defoliating affecting masses. Some recommendations such as prioritizing programs that support the community who offer major help and are often used by most mothers on all the issues that are related to maternal health were made. The researcher basing on the research findings recommended alternative strategies of better service delivery are also presented in the research drawing key points from literature, perceptions from Civil Societies and lessons from the MDGs, regional commitments and legislator process on maternal health care and mortality issues.