Demographic predictors on traditional prenatal service uptake among rural Zimbabwean pregnant women.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to identify demographic predictors influencing the uptake of traditional prenatal care among pregnant women in rural Zimbabwe to inform maternal health policies and programming.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Goromonzi District, focusing on Wards 1, 3, and 6. A census approach recruited 867 pregnant women identified through community health workers. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using binary logistic regression to evaluate the influence of demographic predictors, including age, education, income, employment, parity, marital status, religion, and health complications.

RESULTS

Half (50%) of respondents reported using traditional prenatal services, with 80% preferring a combination of traditional and conventional care. Significant predictors included African Traditional Religion (ATR) (OR = 19.144, p = 0.008), parity (OR = 12.962, p = 0.004), low income (OR = 9.991, p = 0.004), informal employment (OR = 5.134, p < 0.001), and primary education (OR = 5.966, p = 0.006). The model explained 48.4% of the variance in traditional care adoption (Nagelkerke R2 =0.484).

CONCLUSION

Integrated maternal health approaches respecting cultural practices, subsidized maternal services, and collaboration with traditional birth attendants could enhance maternal health outcomes in rural Zimbabwe.