Pregnant women’s perception of midwifery-led continuity care model in Ethiopia: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: A Midwifery-led continuity care (MLCC) model is the provision of care by a known midwife (caseload model) or a team of midwives (team midwifery model) for women throughout the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal period. Evidence shows that a MLCC model becomes the first choice for women and improves maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Despite this, little is known about pregnant women’s perception of the MLCC model in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to explore pregnant women’s perception and experience of a MLCC model in Ethiopia. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in Gurage zone public hospital, Southwest Ethiopia, from May 1(st) to 15(th), 2022. Three focused group discussions and eight in-depth interviews were conducted among pregnant women who were selected using a purposive sampling method. Data were first transcribed and then translated from Amharic (local language) to English. Finally, the thematic analysis technique using open code software was used for analysis. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed that women want a continuity of care model. Four themes emerged. Three were specific to women’s improved care. That is, (1) improved continuum of care, (2) improved woman-centred care, and (3) improved satisfaction of care. Theme four (4), barrier to implementation, was concerned with possible barriers to implementation of the model. CONCLUSION: The finding of this study shows that pregnant women had positive experiences and showed a willingness to receive midwifery-led continuity care. Woman-centred care, improved satisfaction of care, and continuum of care were identified as the main themes. Therefore, it is reasonable to adopt and implement midwifery-led continuity care for low-risk pregnant women in Ethiopia.