The Experiences of Expectant and New Mothers in Accessing Maternal Healthcare Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mmabatho, North-West, South Africa

Makgake Ziphorah Mohulatsi, Tendayi Clotilda Garutsa () and Boipelo Bahule ()
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Makgake Ziphorah Mohulatsi: Department of Sociology, North-West University, Mahikeng 2790, South Africa
Tendayi Clotilda Garutsa: Department of Sociology, North-West University, Mahikeng 2790, South Africa
Boipelo Bahule: Department of Sociology, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa

Social Sciences, 2023, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: Access to maternal healthcare has been a challenge for women of African descent. Similarly, to previous illness outbreaks such as the Ebola and Zika outbreaks, the Coronavirus pandemic effects vary from one demographic group to another. Women, compared to men, are left in a more vulnerable position due to long-existing social inequalities and disparities. Differentiated effects include, amongst others, access to health and healthcare, risk of infection and coping strategies. This study examined the experiences of expectant and new mothers in accessing maternal healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In-depth interviews were used, and participants were selected from Mmabatho, North-West Province in South Africa. The findings show that women accessing maternal healthcare services have had diverse experiences. Some expectant and new mothers experienced fear, anxiety, and frustration, while some had more positive experiences. The positive experiences included spending more time with their families and newborn babies. Some of the participants were worried because of the fear of being infected with the coronavirus. Furthermore, the unavailability and inadequacy of, as well as limited access to, maternal healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected some of the women in the study. This study recommends that public and private sectors responsible for providing maternal healthcare should have emergency preparedness measures in place to ensure the continuous provision of maternal healthcare and cushion women in future disease pandemics.

Keywords: women; COVID-19; maternal health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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