The Role of Social Behavior Change in Improving Adherence to Four Essential Antenatal Care Visits

Abstract

This study explored the role of social behavior change in improving adherence to the four essential antenatal care (ANC) visits among pregnant women in Barangay Tominamos, Santa Rita, Samar. The purpose of the study was to understand how social support, health communication, and community influence affect women’s decisions to complete the required ANC visits. A qualitative phenomenological research design was used to capture the real-life experiences of pregnant women. Six pregnant women participated in the study and were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method of thematic analysis. The findings showed that social behavior change efforts helped increase awareness about the importance of ANC visits and encouraged a stronger sense of responsibility toward maternal and child health. Support from health workers, family members, and the community played an important role in motivating women to attend their scheduled visits. However, several challenges affected adherence, including distance to the health center, transportation problems, household responsibilities, financial difficulties, and physical discomfort during pregnancy. Despite these challenges, the women were able to cope by planning their schedules, seeking help from family and community members, using reminders from health workers, and maintaining a positive mindset focused on their baby’s well-being. The study concludes that social behavior change strategies are effective in improving adherence to the four essential ANC visits when combined with strong community support and accessible health services. The findings highlight the need for continued community-based health education and support programs to strengthen maternal health practices in rural settings.