Original Papers Understanding Postpartum Healthcare Services and Exploring the Challenges and Motivations of Maternal Health Service Providers in the Philippines: a Qualitative Study

(BHWs) may play a role in providing postpartum healthcare services. However, as there are no reports regarding BHW activities in postpartum healthcare, we conducted this study to understand postpartum healthcare services and to explore the challenges and motivations of maternal health service providers. Methods: Focus group interview (FGI) of 13 participants was conducted as qualitative research methodology at Muntinlupa City. The results were analyzed according to the interview guide. The proceedings of the FGI were transcribed verbatim, and researchers read and coded the transcripts. The codes were then used to construct categories. Results: Four important activities were highlighted among 11 analysis codes. These activities were “Assessment of postpartum women’s conditions, ” “Recommendation to visit a health facility, ” “Measurement of blood-pressure and vitamin intake, ” and “Providing postpartum health information. ” Among five analysis codes, we identified three challenges that BHWs face, which were “No current information regarding postpartum care, ” “Some postpartum women do not want to receive healthcare services from BHW, ” and “Too many assigned postpartum women. ” Among five analysis codes, we identified two reasons for continuing BHW activities, which were “Hospitality to help postpartum women and their family in the community ” and “Performance of mission in providing BHW services.