Understanding Communication Barriers in Antenatal Care within Remote Healthcare Facilities: Developing a Communication Framework using Structuration Theory

Effective communication in antenatal care is pivotal for improving maternal and newborn health outcomes, especially in underserved regions such as Rufunsa District, Zambia. This study identifies communication barriers between healthcare providers and pregnant women and proposes a Communication Framework informed by Gidden’s Structuration Theory. A qualitative descriptive research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to gather insights from healthcare providers and antenatal mothers. Key barriers identified include language diversity, high levels of illiteracy among mothers, resource constraints, and the dual roles of healthcare providers. The study underscores the importance of culturally sensitive communication, client-centered approaches, and increased resource allocation to facilitate better information dissemination. The findings highlight the need for tailored public health campaigns and structured training programs aimed at enhancing communication skills among providers. By addressing these challenges and leveraging identified facilitators, the proposed Communication Framework aims to improve the quality of antenatal care and ultimately enhance maternal and child health outcomes in rural communities. This research contributes to the existing literature by offering empirical evidence on communication practices in antenatal care and establishes a foundation for future studies in maternal healthcare communication.