Young women's social support networks during pregnancy in Soweto, South Africa.

Publisher: OpenJournals Pub Country of Publication: South Africa NLM ID: 101520860 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2071-2936 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20712928 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Tygervalley, South Africa : OpenJournals Pub.

Social Support* ; Qualitative Research*; Humans ; Female ; South Africa ; Pregnancy ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Pregnant Women/psychology ; Adolescent ; Interviews as Topic

Background: Although studies from high-income countries have examined social support during pregnancy, it remains unclear what type of support is received by expectant mothers from low- and middle-income country settings.
Aim: To explore young women's social support networks during pregnancy in Soweto, South Africa.
Setting: This study was undertaken in an academic hospital based in the Southwestern Townships (Soweto), Johannesburg, in Gauteng province, South Africa.
Methods: An exploratory descriptive qualitative approach was employed. Eighteen (18) young pregnant women were recruited using a purposive sampling approach. In-depth interviews were conducted, and data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.
Results: Analysis of the data resulted in the development of two superordinate themes namely; (1) relationships during pregnancy and (2) network involvement. Involvement of the various social networks contributed greatly to the young women having a greater sense of potential parental efficacy and increased acceptance of their pregnancies. Pregnant women who receive sufficient social support from immediate networks have increased potential to embrace and give attention to pregnancy-related changes.
Conclusion: Focusing on less-examined characteristics that could enhance pregnant women's health could help in the reduction of deaths that arise because of pregnancy complications and contribute in globally accelerating increased accessibility to adequate reproductive health.Contribution: This study's findings emphasise the necessity for policymakers and healthcare providers to educate the broader community about the importance of partner, family and peer support to minimise risks that may affect pregnancy care and wellbeing of mothers.

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Keywords: South Africa.; Soweto; maternal health; pregnancy care; social support; wellbeing

Date Created: 20240506 Date Completed: 20240506 Latest Revision: 20240511

20240511

PMC11079395

10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4146

38708725