Exploring postnatal care experiences of adolescent mothers: A grounded theory study in Ghana (360G-Wellcome-341840_Z_25_Z)

Adolescent childbearing carries significant health risks, including maternal and neonatal complications. Ten percent of global births are to women aged under 20 with 90%occurring in LMICs. The risk of maternal mortality and neonatal deaths during the postnatal period is higher in LMICs including Ghana and many deaths could be prevented with enhanced care. Approximately 70,000 adolescent mothers die annually from complications which oftern occur in the postnatal period. Addressing poor outcomes requires strategies for providing quality maternity care for young mothers and babies, including the often- overlooked postnatal period. Whilst previous research has focused on reducing adolescent pregnancies, this study aims to develop a theoretically-informed intervention in Ghanain Ghana to improve postnatal care for adolescent mothers. This study will be conducted in three phases. Firstly, existing literature on adolescent postnatal care in LMICs and interventions will be reviewed. In the second phase, a grounded theory methodology will be used to conduct interviews and observations with adolescent mothers, health workers, and other individuals identified as being involved in the care process to explore the related social processes and influences. Finally, findings will be used to inform a consensus process to co-produce a protocol tailored to the needs of adolescent mothers in Ghana.