Iran Journal of Nursing

Introduction
Women with many capabilities and capacities contribute to the development of societies. The failure in their prenatal care can lead to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes such as eclampsia, cesarean delivery, premature birth, low birth weight, respiratory distress, and delay in normal development. It can also increase the maternal and neonatal mortality rates. A significant percentage of women in Iran do not receive adequate care during pregnancy. This qualitative study aims was to identify the incentives and barriers to receiving prenatal care in Zahedan, Iran. 

Methods
This is a qualitative study using the content analysis method. Participants (26 people including 8 healthcare workers and 18 pregnant women referring to the health center in Zahedan, Iran in 2022) were selected with a purposive sampling method and underwent semi-structured interviews which continued until saturation. The duration of the interview was 25-30 minutes. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Then, content analysis was conducted. Graneheim & Lundman’s four criteria were used to assess the reliability and validity of data. 

Results
After content analysis, 504 codes were prepared, which were reduced into 215 codes, from which 19 sub-categories, 6 sub-themes, and 2 themes of prenatal care barriers and prenatal care incentives were extracted. 

Discussion
By identifying the incentives and barriers to receiving prenatal care and removing the barriers, we can reduce the risk of death in pregnant women in Zahedan and increase the chance of a healthy birth by providing high-quality and continuous care to the mother and the fetus. Further studies are recommended in other cities of Iran. 

Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR. ZAUMS. REC. 1401. 128). A written informed consent was obtained from the participants and they were assured of the confidentiality of their information. 

Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. 

Authors' contributions
Supervision: Mohammad Hadi Abbasi; Interview: Maryam Shibany Sadr. Coding: Maryam Seraji; Preparing the paper: All authors.

Conflict of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank all the participants pregnant women and health care workers for their cooperation.


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