NEEDS FOR INTEGRATION OF NUTRITIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS IN ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES:A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON STAKEHOLDERS, MIDWIVES, AND PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

Abstract

 Comprehensive antenatal care (ANC) requires comprehensive maternal health care, including physical, nutritional, psychological, family support, and fetal health. This study explores the need for integrated nutritional and psychological assessments in routine ANC services based on the perspectives of stakeholders, midwives, and pregnant women as a basis for developing an Integrated ANC Model in primary care units. This project used method qualitative exploratory study formed the needs-assessment stage of a Research and Development project. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were conducted separately for stakeholder groups, midwives, and pregnant women. Informants were selected purposively based on their involvement and experience in ANC services. Data were analyzed thematically through data grouping, coding, category formation, theme development, and interpretation. Results of this research finding four themes emerged: support for the integration of nutrition and psychology in ANC; the discovery of psychological problems in pregnant women but challenges in follow-up by midwives; the need for pregnant women to pay attention to their psychological and nutritional conditions; and the need for a model that integrates screening with intervention, collaboration, referral, and monitoring. All three groups of participants agreed on the need for more holistic and woman-centered antenatal care (ANC). These findings suggest that Integrating nutritional and psychological assessments was deemed relevant and acceptable by both ANC users and providers in primary care. These findings provide an empirical basis for developing an integrated ANC model that links physical, nutritional, psychological, family, and fetal assessments with a clear follow-up pathway