Barriers to health-seeking practices during pregnancy among adolescents in rural Blantyre, Malawi

Background Very few adolescents in Malawi seek antenatal care on time during pregnancy. The Kroeger model (1993) guided the investigation of factors that hinder adolescents from seeking healthcare advice during pregnancy. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted at three health centers in rural Blantyre involving a convenience sample of 240 respondents. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Results Individual factors such as low level of education, inability to make decisions with regards to care, inadequate knowledge, and psychological factors such as shyness, fear, stigma and health service factors such as long distance to the facility, a lack of adolescent friendly services, and inaccessible roads were found to be barriers to seeking healthcare. Conclusion Empowering communities and adolescents, establishing and making existing health facilities more adolescent friendly may help adolescents seek healthcare advice in suitable time during pregnancy.