Phenomenological Study of Pregnant Women's Behavior in ANC Visit Compliance with Husband's Support

Abstract

Adherence to Antenatal Care (ANC) visits is essential for the early detection of pregnancy complications and for improving maternal and fetal health. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of pregnant women regarding adherence to ANC visits in relation to spousal support. A qualitative approach with a Van Manen hermeneutic phenomenological design was employed. Ten third-trimester pregnant women were purposively selected as participants. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, observations, and field notes, and were interpretively analyzed using Van Manen's six research activities. Data trustworthiness was ensured through member checking, source triangulation, an audit trail, and peer debriefing. Five main themes emerged: mothers' awareness of the importance of ANC; emotional, informational, instrumental, and appraisal support from husbands; barriers to ANC adherence, including economic limitations, husbands' work commitments, distance to health facilities, and maternal physical conditions; adaptive strategies to maintain ANC visits; and expectations for greater involvement of husbands and healthcare providers. ANC adherence reflects the interaction between mothers' internal motivation, pregnancy experiences, and ongoing spousal support. ANC services should adopt a family-centered approach by strengthening husbands' involvement in maternal healthcare.