The safe motherhood goals of being attended by a skilled attendant at
birth have not been met in Zambia. Almost all (93%) of Zambian pregnant
women attend antenatal care, though only 43% deliver in maternity
units. This study was conducted to explore low-risk Zambian
primigravidae's preparation for pregnancy including contraceptive use,
content of antenatal care, preparation for childbirth and the extent of
social support. Two hundred and ninety nine healthy primigravidae, who
attended the antenatal clinic at the University Teaching Hospital
(UTH), Lusaka, Zambia, were interviewed using a structured interview
guide. The women's mean age was 20.7 years; 41% were adolescents. The
adolescent group had significantly less years of education (p <
0.0000). In total, 78% had never used any contraceptive method. The
main source of information on sexual issues was friends and the mass
media. Only 2% of the women had received information on sexual and
reproductive health matters from health staff. Nearly half did not want
the pregnancy. Sixty three per cent of the women had made their first
antenatal visit during the second trimester. There had been no
antenatal preparation of the women for parturition and their parenting
role. Eighty five per cent of the pregnant women had identified a
social support person to assist them during pregnancy and after
childbirth. The results suggest that preparation for parenthood had a
low priority as part of the antenatal care. We recommend that as part
of the integrated reproductive health approach, parenthood classes
should be organised and social support network should be utilised and
involved in the care. (Afr J Reprod Health 2003; 7[3]: 29-40
