Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy from the perspective of public health and maternal health care: review and case report

The County Governments in Kenya are faced with poor service delivery especially in the provision of maternal health care services. Maternal health care services in public hospitals are not meeting up to the quality standard as outlined by the Ministry of Health in Kenya. The paper sought to determine the influence of leadership and universal health coverage on public health maternal health care in Kitui County. This study was guided by Transformational Leadership Theory and Theory X & Y. The study focused on 11 public hospitals providing maternity services in Kitui County. The target population of the study was 203 health officers that include 26 doctors, 10 specialists, 41 clinical officers and 126 nurses across the 13 level 4 hospitals providing maternity services in Kitui County. Data was collected by use of structured closed ended questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 25.0 Software. Pearson Correlation showed that leadership and universal health coverage have a positive correlation with public health maternal health care service delivery. Model summary results indicated that leadership and universal health coverage explain 52.1 percent of public health maternal health care service delivery. Coefficient regression revealed that coefficient of leadership has appositive and significant influence (β=.203, p=.001<0.05) on and public health maternal health care service delivery. It was also found that coefficient of Universal Health Coverage and public health maternal health care service delivery have a positive and significant relationship (β=.662, p=.000<0.05). The study concludes that leadership is one of the key health systems factors affecting the performance of maternal health services at facility level. Conclusion can be made further that universal health coverage improves public health maternal health care service delivery. The study recommends for the need of maternal health care providers to review their leadership guidelines and styles with aim of enhancing quality of leadership in the management of hospitals. Though universal health coverage is on trial, the study recommends for the need to adequately support the implementation of universal health coverage.

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A qualitative review of maternal health care provision for migrant and refugee women

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.564 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

A Kasper ◽

L-M Mohwinkel ◽

A C Nowak

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Communication Barriers ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Health Care Provision ◽

Care Provision ◽

Refugee Women ◽

Training Courses

Abstract Background The number migrants increased worldwide. Pregnant migrant/refugee women are considered a vulnerable group. How do professionals manage their care? The aim was to summarize the current evidence regarding maternal health care provision for migrant/refugee women. Methods We conducted a systematic review and searched the databases PubMed (MEDLINE); CINAHL; PSYNDEX, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library. Studies were judged for eligibility: a study had to address maternal health care provision for migrant/refugee women who immigrated to an OECD member state. Publication date was restricted to 1990-2019, and language to English or German. Results 16 primary (qualitative) studies were included. Heterogeneity of the included studies exists regarding e.g. origin of the women, migration background, receiving country. Nevertheless, synthesis can provide valuable information on challenges and how to deal with migrant/refugee women in maternal health care. Communication difficulties pose challenges on professionals (15 studies). Possibilities to deal with them: bridge-languages, non-verbal communication and interpreters. In addition, finding one's way in the unknown health care system is a barrier for women, which professionals can meet by informing the women and coordinating care (8 studies). The perceived diversity of women can lead to conflicts in care (10 studies). While some studies recommend 'cultural recipes', other authors emphasize the individuality of women and prefer a holistic care approach. Conclusions Professionals face different barriers when providing maternal health care to migrant/refugee such as communication barriers, coordinating care and handling women's diversity. Initiating and enhancing public health activities such as training courses for professionals that convey general principles such as woman-centered care, communication techniques are valuable opportunities to improve migrant/refugee women's maternal health care provision. Key messages Maternal health care professionals face different barriers when providing maternal health care to migrant/refugee such as communication barriers, coordinating care and handling women's diversity. Initiating and enhancing public health activities such as training courses for maternal health care professionals are valuable opportunities to improve migrant/refugee women’s maternal care.

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Out of pocket expenditure for availing maternal health care services in Northern India

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.246 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

A Singh ◽

P Jain ◽

S Kumar ◽

S Singh ◽

N Singh

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Health Facility ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Public Health Facility ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Health Care Facilities ◽

Care Services ◽

Maternal Health Care Services

Abstract Introduction Maternal and child health comprise one of the most important parameters of the health situation in a country at any given time. Maternal and new born child's health are inter-related to a great extent and while improving one, we might greatly affect the other; hence, joint efforts are required to cope with the rising demands of better healthcare for both. Out-of-pocket expenditure act as a major deterrent, especially to underprivileged communities, in accessibility to maternal health care services and knowledge of the determinants of maternity related expenses helps in outlining policies. Material and Methods This is a community based cross sectional study conducted in state of Uttar Pradesh between July 2019 to December 2019 among 848 women who delivered in past six months at a public health facility. A pretested, semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data thus collected was entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0, IBM Inc. Chicago, USA software. Results The analysis showed that the median OOPE was INR 1000 (US$ 13.89) which varied between INR 950 (US$ 13.19) for normal delivery and INR 4900 (US$ 68) for caesarean section. OOPE for availing diagnostic facilities especially ultrasound with a median value of INR 500 (US$ 6.94) contributed to the major share. Women from households with income more than INR 7500 (US$ 104.17) per month, education higher than high school, primi-gravida, occupation of mother and type of delivery were significant predictors for high OOPE. Awareness level about various free entitlements in public health facility was significantly associated with overall out of pocket expenditure. Conclusions Although services at the public health facility in India are supposedly provided free of cost, considerable out of pocket expenditure is still incurred on beneficiaries while availing maternity services. Key messages Out of pocket expenditure is a major deterrent in availing institutional deliveries in public health facilities. Zero-cost, equitable and accessible maternal health care services through timely access to health care facilities is of paramount importance for reducing MMR and IMR in every country.

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