Pregnant woman in Accra surrounded by prenatal care symbols

Bridging the Gap: How to Get the Best Prenatal Care in Accra, Ghana

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring resource availability and adherence to guidelines for a healthier pregnancy journey."

Ensuring a healthy pregnancy is a top priority for expecting parents. Prenatal care guidelines are designed to provide a consistent and high standard of care, yet sometimes, these guidelines aren't followed as closely as they should be. This can be due to several factors, one of which is the lack of necessary resources. For women in Accra, Ghana, understanding the availability of resources and how healthcare providers adhere to prenatal guidelines is crucial for a safe and healthy pregnancy journey.

A recent study investigated the availability of essential resources within public health facilities in Accra, Ghana, and how closely healthcare providers follow established prenatal care guidelines. The goal was to identify potential gaps in service and understand how these gaps affect the quality of care received by pregnant women. The research looked at a range of factors, including the availability of medications, equipment, and trained staff, as well as the overall workload of healthcare providers.

This article breaks down the key findings of this study, offering insights into the state of prenatal care in Accra. More importantly, it provides guidance and practical advice for expectant mothers on how to navigate the system and advocate for the best possible care. By understanding the landscape of prenatal care in Accra, women can make informed decisions and take proactive steps to ensure a healthier pregnancy.

What Resources are Available for Prenatal Care in Accra?

Pregnant woman in Accra surrounded by prenatal care symbols

The study, which focused on 11 public health facilities in the Greater Accra Region, assessed several critical components of prenatal care. These facilities included hospitals, polyclinics, and a health center, providing a snapshot of the resources available across different levels of care.

Here’s a look at what the researchers found:

Essential Medications: Most facilities had routine prenatal drugs available, but some experienced shortages of magnesium sulfate and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine.
Laboratory Testing: All facilities could perform routine antenatal tests, ensuring women had access to essential screenings.
Protocols and Equipment: Antenatal service protocols and necessary equipment were generally available across all facilities.
Human Resources: The study noted variations in antenatal workload among clinical staff, with polyclinics often having a higher workload per staff member compared to hospitals.

While the availability of resources is a positive sign, the study also highlighted that complete adherence to first antenatal guidelines was only at 48.1%. This means that despite the presence of resources, healthcare providers weren't always able to follow all the recommended guidelines during initial prenatal visits. Let’s delve into some practical strategies that expectant mothers can employ to navigate the system effectively.

Advocating for Your Health and a Healthier Pregnancy

While systemic improvements are essential, individual empowerment plays a significant role in ensuring quality prenatal care. By staying informed, asking questions, and actively participating in their healthcare decisions, expectant mothers can advocate for their health and contribute to a healthier pregnancy. Remember, your voice matters, and your well-being is paramount. Together, with engaged healthcare providers and accessible resources, a positive pregnancy journey in Accra is within reach.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1186/s12913-016-1747-1, Alternate LINK

Title: Public Health Facility Resource Availability And Provider Adherence To First Antenatal Guidelines In A Low Resource Setting In Accra, Ghana

Subject: Health Policy

Journal: BMC Health Services Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Mary Amoakoh-Coleman, Irene Akua Agyepong, Gbenga A. Kayode, Diederick E. Grobbee, Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch, Evelyn K. Ansah

Published: 2016-09-21

Everything You Need To Know

What essential medications are typically available for prenatal care in public health facilities within Accra, Ghana?

The study indicated that most facilities have routine prenatal drugs available. However, it also pointed out instances of shortages, particularly of magnesium sulfate and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine. These medications are critical for managing certain pregnancy complications, so their availability is essential for ensuring comprehensive prenatal care within the public health facilities in Accra.

How do the workloads of healthcare providers vary across different types of public health facilities in Accra regarding prenatal care?

The research highlighted variations in the antenatal workload among clinical staff. Specifically, it noted that polyclinics often have a higher workload per staff member compared to hospitals. This difference can impact the quality of care if providers are stretched too thin, potentially affecting their ability to fully adhere to prenatal care guidelines and give each patient sufficient attention.

What percentage of healthcare providers in Accra, Ghana, fully adhere to the first antenatal guidelines?

The study found that complete adherence to first antenatal guidelines was only at 48.1%. This suggests that while resources like medications, laboratory testing, protocols, and equipment are generally available, there's still a significant gap in providers consistently following all recommended practices during the initial prenatal visits.

Beyond resource availability, what other factors might influence the quality of prenatal care in Accra, Ghana?

While the availability of medications, equipment, and trained staff is important, adherence to established prenatal care guidelines is also critical. The study shows that despite resource availability, full adherence to guidelines is not always achieved. Factors such as staff workload, training, and the implementation of protocols could influence the quality of care. Furthermore, individual patient advocacy and awareness play a vital role in ensuring expectant mothers receive the best possible care.

How can expectant mothers in Accra proactively contribute to a healthier pregnancy journey?

Expectant mothers can play a significant role in ensuring quality prenatal care by staying informed, asking questions, and actively participating in their healthcare decisions. Being aware of available resources, understanding the importance of the essential medications and tests, and knowing the prenatal care guidelines are essential for a safe and healthy pregnancy. By advocating for their health and engaging with their healthcare providers, women can contribute to a positive pregnancy journey in Accra.