Women’s Experience with Socio-Economic Factors Associated with Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality in Lusaka and Mumbwa Districts of Zambia

Maimbolwa Connie Margaret

Abstract

Globally, pregnancy and childbirth are the leading causes of death among women in the reproductive age. More than half a million women and four million infants are reported to die every year due to complications related to pregnancy and child bearing. The efforts to improve quality maternity care have been on the World Health Organization member countries’ agenda. There are several socioeconomic factors that influence women’s experience of the quality maternity care services they receive. Among them include economic stability, support from spouses, extended family and the community, attitude of health personnel and traditional practice. There have been collective efforts to improve access and use of maternal health care services. However, the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality has remained a public health challenge in developing countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Zambia has been striving to reduce maternal mortality by ensuring universal access to maternal and child health care services. Our study aimed to explore women’s experience with socio-economic factors associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality in Lusaka and Mumbwa districts, Zambia.