Perspectives of women, healthcare providers and health managers on Group Antenatal Care implementation in Geita

This qualitative study explored the perspectives of women, healthcare providers, and health managers on the implementation of Group Antenatal Care (G-ANC) in Geita, Tanzania. Conducted between February 2023 and June 2024, the study used focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) to assess experiences, acceptability, and practicality of G-ANC in routine public health facilities.

Participants included pregnant and postnatal women, healthcare providers, and district/regional health managers. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to understand how G-ANC compares to conventional one-on-one antenatal care and its potential for improving maternal health services in low-resource settings.

The study found high satisfaction and acceptability of G-ANC among all stakeholder groups. Women reported increased knowledge on maternal health, improved birth preparedness, and strong emotional and peer support through shared group experiences.

Healthcare providers highlighted improved efficiency, as health education could be delivered to multiple women at once, reducing repetition. They also noted better patient engagement and communication compared to traditional care.

Health managers observed increased antenatal care attendance and more interactive service delivery, with G-ANC contributing to improved health system performance and client-provider relationships.

Despite these benefits, several challenges were identified, including limited space for group sessions, need for trained facilitators, staff shortages, and resource constraints. Social and structural barriers—such as transport costs, long distances, and limited male partner support—also affected participation.

Some women expressed concerns about privacy in group settings, particularly when discussing sensitive issues, although most still preferred the group model overall.

Group Antenatal Care is a well-accepted and positively experienced model in the Geita context, offering significant benefits in maternal health education, peer support, and service delivery efficiency. It aligns well with community values of shared learning and collective support.

However, successful scale-up requires investments in infrastructure, healthcare worker training, and system-level support, along with strategies to address privacy concerns and improve male involvement.

The study provides important qualitative evidence supporting G-ANC as a promising approach to improve antenatal care utilization and quality in low-resource settings, while highlighting the need for context-specific implementation strategies.