Influencing factors of place and healthcare seeking behaviour of pregnant women accessing care at a herbal clinic in Ghana

Abstract

There is extensive evidence that indicate a considerable number of pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, seek obstetric and gynaecological care in herbal clinics. However, the literature on the extent to which place-people relationships, particularly place attachment, place dependence and place location impact on this decision is limited. This study explored the influencing factors of place and healthcare seeking behaviour of pregnant women at a herbal clinic in Ghana. The study adopted a hermeneutic research design. Twelve pregnant women and four herbal practitioners were conveniently and purposively sampled and interviewed using unstructured interview guides. A thematic analysis was done. The study found that factors influencing place attachment including place location, familiarity, availability of services influenced pregnant women’s decision to seek healthcare at the herbal clinic. Pregnant women with low socioeconomic status preferred the herbal facility to the hospital due to affordability of services. Cultural dimensions of a place such as belief in spiritualism/spiritism about herbal medicine and childlessness influenced preferences and choices in accessing healthcare. Also, place dependence factors which includes challenges in formal healthcare system, positive attitudes of herbal practitioners, and flexible payment plans influenced healthcare seeking behaviour of pregnant women. Distance and cost of travel indirectly influenced healthcare seeking behaviour of pregnant women at the herbal clinic. The implication of the findings is that positive feelings about a place influence and maintain healthcare seeking behaviour of pregnant women who access healthcare at herbal clinics.