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"They Merely Prescribe and I Merely Swallow": Perceptions of Antenatal Pharmaceuticals and Nutritional Supplements Among Pregnant Women in Bamako, Mali.
- Source :
-
Maternal and child health journal [Matern Child Health J] 2020 Jan; Vol. 24 (1), pp. 110-120. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Objectives: New international guidelines for antenatal care (ANC) will likely result in an increase in nutritional supplements and preventative medications for pregnant women in low and middle-income countries. Our objective was to understand how pregnant women in Mali perceive and experience multi-drug regimens in ANC in order to reveal factors that may influence uptake and adherence.<br />Methods: We conducted 29 semi-structured interviews and three focus groups with 21 pregnant women in two urban ANC sites in Bamako, Mali. Interviews focused on perception of purpose of ANC pharmaceuticals (particularly iron supplements, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine as intermittent prevention of malaria and antiretroviral therapy for HIV), beliefs regarding efficacy and risk, and understanding of dosage and regimen. Transcripts were inductively coded and analyzed using the 'Framework' method.<br />Results: Participant descriptions of medication purpose, understanding of dosing, and beliefs about risks and efficacy varied widely, revealing that many pregnant women lack complete information about their medications. While some were burdened by side effects or complex regimens, women generally held favorable attitudes toward ANC medications. Responses suggest major barriers to adherence lie in the health system, namely insufficient patient-provider communication and inconsistent prescribing practices.<br />Conclusions for Practice: National health programs looking to improve maternal and child health with ANC pharmaceuticals need to place greater attention on patient counseling and consistent implementation of administration guidelines. Communication that positions pharmaceuticals as beneficial to mother and child, while presenting understandable information about purpose, dosing and potential side effects can promote uptake of multi-drug regimens and ANC services in general.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Antimalarials therapeutic use
Drug Combinations
Female
HIV Infections drug therapy
Humans
Iron therapeutic use
Mali
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious drug therapy
Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic drug therapy
Prescriptions
Pyrimethamine therapeutic use
Qualitative Research
Quality of Health Care
Sulfadoxine therapeutic use
Antimalarials administration & dosage
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
HIV Infections prevention & control
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Iron administration & dosage
Malaria prevention & control
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious prevention & control
Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic prevention & control
Pregnant Women psychology
Prenatal Care methods
Pyrimethamine administration & dosage
Sulfadoxine administration & dosage
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1573-6628
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Maternal and child health journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31515675
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-019-02808-2