ArticleBMJ open2026
Beyond the doctor's office: a longitudinal study mapping women's experiences of the maternal healthcare journey as a pathway to reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria.
Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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1 citing paper in PubMed.
- A qualitative journey mapping study of prenatal care experiences among rural pregnant women in Northeast China.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
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6 authors.
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Abstract
objectivesNigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality burdens globally. Improving maternal outcomes requires a better understanding of how women experience care across pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. This study explored women's maternal healthcare experiences across the perinatal continuum in Nigeria, with a focus on how challenges emerge and interact over time.
designLongitudinal qualitative study using patient journey mapping.
settingPublic primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in Abuja, Nigeria.
participants12 pregnant women were purposively sampled. Each woman participated in two rounds of in-depth interviews: once in late pregnancy and again 2-6 weeks postpartum. All participants completed both interview rounds.
methodsData were collected through 24 semistructured in-depth interviews conducted longitudinally to capture changes in women's experiences before and after childbirth. Interview guides were informed by existing maternal health frameworks. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and organised across five stages of the maternal healthcare journey: Awareness, Consideration, Access, Treatment and Recovery.
findingsThis study introduces a five-stage framework: Awareness, Consideration, Access, Treatment and Recovery, to comprehensively explore maternal healthcare experiences. The findings reveal systemic inefficiencies at every stage of the pregnancy journey, from limited awareness of pregnancy test kits to unreliable booking systems and inadequate postpartum mental health support. This study highlights how early-stage barriers cascade into later phases, unlike traditional research that focuses only on clinical interactions. This study emphasises the importance of maternal care accessibility and recovery support, moving beyond a treatment-centric lens.
conclusionThis study presents a transformative framework for understanding maternal healthcare as a continuum of interconnected experiences. The research offers actionable insights to enhance maternal health outcomes through stage-specific strategies. The globally adaptable framework provides policymakers and healthcare practitioners with a roadmap to improve maternal healthcare systems in Nigeria and beyond. This holistic approach lays the foundation for reducing maternal mortality while ensuring equitable care for all.
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