Group Antenatal Care: A Paradigm Shift to Explore for Positive Impacts in Resource-poor Settings

Abstract

The delivery of high-quality antenatal care is a perennial global concern for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Antenatal care is currently provided mainly on a one-to-one basis, but growing evidence has emerged to support the effectiveness of group antenatal care. Providing care in a small group gives expectant mothers the opportunity to have discussions with their peers about certain issues and concerns that are unique to them and to form a support system that will improve the quality and utilization of antenatal care services. The aim of this article is to promote group antenatal care as a means to increase utilization of healthcare.

Keywords

• prenatal care
• group antenatal care
• preventive health services
• maternal health services
• pregnant women