Exploring women's perspectives of access to care during pregnancy and childbirth: A qualitative study from rural Papua New Guinea

distance, terrain and transport as well as decision making processes and customary beliefs influenced whether a woman did or did not reach a health facility to give birth. While the wider issue of availability and location of health services and health system strengthening is addressed shorter term, community based interventions could be of benefit. These interventions should include safe motherhood and birth preparedness messages disseminated to women, men and key family and community members.