Qualitative assessment of maternal healthcare services: Infrastructure, staffing, and quality of care in Lejweleputswa District Municipality, South Africa
Abstract
Maternal healthcare performance varies widely across South Africa, shaped by uneven resources, staffing constraints, and service-delivery pressures. This study explored how healthcare providers experience the conditions that influence maternal care, focusing on infrastructure, staffing, and quality-of-care processes. Using a qualitative case study design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses, midwives, and medical officers working in public-sector maternity services. Data were analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Participants described persistent infrastructure limitations, high workloads linked to inadequate staffing, and challenges in maintaining consistent, timely care. They also highlighted inconsistencies in guideline adherence and communication barriers that affected patient experience. These intersecting factors varied across facilities but collectively shaped the day-to-day delivery of maternal services. The findings underscore the need for context-sensitive strategies that address resource gaps, strengthen staffing capacity, and support more reliable quality-of-care practices.
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