Knowledge and perceptions of midwives regarding the basic antenatal care approach in primary healthcare clinics in the eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

South Africa has instituted various strategies to enhance antenatal care services, in an attempt to address the country's high maternal and perinatal mortality rates. The National Department of Health ordered all primary healthcare facilities to adopt the basic antenatal care (BANC) approach by the end of 2008. Some facilities started implementing the BANC approach but failed to sustain it. This study was conducted in the eThekwini municipality, targeting facilities that had successfully implemented the basic antenatal care approach. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and perceptions of midwives regarding this approach. Questionnaires were completed by 59 midwives. The Kruskal Wallis test indicated that midwives' knowledge and perceptions differed according to age, gender, race and years of experience but no significant differences were found. Midwives with positive perceptions and a good understanding of the basic antenatal care approach contributed to its successful implementation.