Community participation in providing antenatal services in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Community participation has been hailed as the panacea for enhancing the successful implementation and continuation of many community programmes. Community participation at high levels empowers communities, increases self-reliance, self-awareness and confidence in self-examination of problems and in finding solutions for them. Behavioural changes are promoted; utilisation as well as support of services is facilitated. These aspects could exert important influences in determining the effectiveness of ante natal care (ANC) services in communities. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which women participated in the provision of ante natal care. Pregnant women's perceptions, expectations and participation in the provision of ante natal care were examined. Rifkin's model for evaluating community participation was used in constructing guided interview schedules. Thirty conveniently selected pregnant women, residing in the area of the Chinarnhora clinic, in the Goromonzi District of Zimbabwe in Southern Africa, participated in this survey. The results indicated limited participation in Rifkin's five process indicators of community participation. However, all the women regarded community participation as being important. The majority of the women wished to be involved at high levels of participation, but did know how to approach such involvements. The results of this study should be valuable to health care professionals in formulating strategies and modifying existing programmes to enhance community participation.