Social capital and its role to improve maternal and child health services in Northwest Ethiopia: A qualitative study

Authors: Endalkachew Worku Mengesha,Gizachew A. Tessema,Yibeltal Assefa, Getu Degu Alene

The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of women, religious leaders, and CHWs on social capital to improve uptake of MCH services in Northwest Ethiopia. A qualitative study was conducted via in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with key informants. Results uncovered four overarching themes and thirteen sub-themes of social capital factors that improved uptake of MCH services. Identified themes included social networking, social norms, community support, and community cohesion. Most women, CHWs, and religious leaders participated in social networks, which enabled CHWs to create awareness on MCH services. These findings emphasize a need to design people-centered health programs to engage existing social networks, including the CHW workforce, and religious leaders for improving MCH services.