Use of integrated services in antenatal care: A case study of Mabvuku Polyclinic, Zimbabwe

Background: The integration of diagnostic services presents a critical opportunity to improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), potentially averting up to 1 million premature deaths annually. Antenatal care provides a critical platform for diagnosing multiple diseases in an integrated manner. Aim: This study explored the experiences of healthcare providers and pregnant women using integrated diagnostic services at a primary care facility in Zimbabwe. Setting: A qualitative case study was conducted at Mabvuku Polyclinic in Harare, Zimbabwe. Methods: Using purposive sampling, 14 healthcare workers and 22 pregnant women participated in interviews. Observations and semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using NVivo software. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key themes related to access, patient-provider interactions and systemic barriers. Results: According to the interviewees’ reports, challenges such as limited resources, medical equipment and staff hinder efforts to integrate diagnostic services. The women strongly preferred integrated diagnosis, even if it meant enduring long waiting times, and valued the convenience of receiving all necessary services in a single visit. The study highlighted the hidden socio-economic barriers to ‘free’ healthcare and underscored the importance of addressing systemic inefficiencies. Conclusion: The insights gained from this study are transferable and contribute to the understanding of integrated diagnostic services in maternal healthcare contexts. Contribution: They offer practical recommendations for improving service delivery and health outcomes in similar settings.