Male involvement in the maternal health care system: implication towards decreasing the high burden of maternal mortality

BACKGROUND: Even though maternal mortality, which is a pregnancy-related death is preventable, it has continued to increase in many nations of the world, especially in the African countries of the sub-Saharan regions caused by factors which include a low level of socioeconomic development. AIM: This paper focuses on cogent issues affecting maternal mortality by unpacking its precipitating factors and examining the maternal health care system in Nigeria. METHODS: Contemporary works of literature were reviewed, and the functionalist perspective served as a theoretical guide to examine the interrelated functions of several sectors of the society to the outcome of maternal mortality. RESULTS: It was noted that apart from the medical related causes (direct and indirect) of maternal mortality, certain socio-cultural and socioeconomic factors influence the outcome of pregnancy. Also, a poor health care system, which is a consequent of weak social structure, is a contributing factor. CONCLUSION: As a result, maternal mortality has debilitating effects on the socioeconomic development of any nation. It is therefore pertinent for the government to improve maternal health and eradicate poverty to ensure sustainable development.

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Influence of Social and Cultural Practices on Maternal Mortality: A Qualitative Study from South Punjab, Pakistan

10.21203/rs.3.rs-130898/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sonia Omer ◽

Rubeena Zakar ◽

Muhammad Zakria Zakar ◽

Florian Fischer

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Maternal Mortality ◽

Maternal Care ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

Cultural Factors ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

High Rate ◽

Maternal Deaths ◽

Social And Cultural Factors

Abstract Background: A disproportionate high rate of maternal deaths are reported in developing and underdeveloped regions of the world. Much is associated with social and cultural factors which are barriers for women to utilise appropriate maternal health care. A huge body of research is available on maternal mortality in developing countries. Nevertheless, there is paucity of literature on socio-cultural factors leading to maternal mortality within the context of the Three Delay Model. The current study aims to explore socio-cultural factors leading to a delay in seeking care in maternal healthcare in South Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: We used a qualitative method and performed three types of data collection with different target groups: i) 60 key informative interviews with gynaecologists, ii) four focus group discussions with Lady Health Workers (LHWs), and iii) ten case studies among family members of deceased mothers. The study was conducted in Dear Ghazi Khan, situated at South Punjab, Pakistan. Data was analysed with the help of thematic analysis.Results: The study identified that delay in seeking care – and its potentially following maternal mortality – is more likely to occur due to certain social and cultural factors in Pakistan. Poor socioeconomic status, limited knowledge on maternal care, and financial constraints of rural people were the main barriers in seeking care. Low status of women and male domination keeps women less empowered. The preference of traditional birth attendants results into maternal deaths. In addition to that, early marriages and lack of family planning as deeply entrenched in cultural values, religion and traditions – e.g. the influence of spiritual healers – prevented young girls to obtain maternal health care.Conclusion: The situation of maternal mortality is highly alarming in Pakistan. The uphill task of reducing deaths among pregnant women is deeply rooted in addressing certain socio-cultural practices, which are constraints for women seeking maternal care. The focus on reduction of poverty and enhancement of decision-making power is essential for approaching the right of medical care.

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MEN IN MATERNAL CARE: EVIDENCE FROM INDIA

Journal of Biosocial Science ◽

10.1017/s0021932011000502 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 129-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

APARAJITA CHATTOPADHYAY

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Health Care Utilization ◽

Antenatal Care ◽

Health Survey ◽

Male Involvement ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Gender Violence ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Maternal Health Care Utilization

SummaryMen's supportive stance is an essential component for making women's world better. There are growing debates among policymakers and researchers on the role of males in maternal health programmes, which is a big challenge in India where society is male driven. This study aims to look into the variations and determinants of maternal health care utilization in India and in three demographically and socioeconomically disparate states, namely Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra, by husband's knowledge, attitude, behaviour towards maternal health care and gender violence, using data from the National Family Health Survey III 2005–06 (equivalent to the Demographic and Health Survey in India). Women's antenatal care visits, institutional delivery and freedom in health care decisions are looked into, by applying descriptive statistics and multivariate models. Men's knowledge about pregnancy-related care and a positive gender attitude enhances maternal health care utilization and women's decision-making about their health care, while their presence during antenatal care visits markedly increases the chances of women's delivery in institutions. From a policy perspective, proper dissemination of knowledge about maternal health care among husbands and making the husband's presence obligatory during antenatal care visits will help primary health care units secure better male involvement in maternal health care.

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Utilization of maternal health care services in slum areas of Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Ibrahim Medical College Journal ◽

10.3329/imcj.v4i2.6495 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 44-48

Author(s):

Housne Ara Begum ◽

Nilufar Yeasmin Nili ◽

Amir Mohammad Sayem

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Maternal Mortality ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Dhaka City ◽

Care Services ◽

Maternal Health Care Services ◽

Socio Economic Variables ◽

Slum Areas

Bangladesh has one of the highest maternal mortality rates (MMR) in the world. The estimated lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy and childbirth related causes in Bangladesh is about 100 times higher compare to developed countries. However, utilization of maternal health care services (MHCS) is notably low. This study examines the socio-economic determinants of utilization of MHCS in some slum areas of Dhaka city. The overall utilization was 86.3% of women; however, utilization of different sorts of MHCS was very low, i.e., the mean utilization was found to be 2.25 out of 5 MHCS. Indicator wise, ANC, TT, institutional delivery, delivery assistance by health professional and PNC were received by 61.3%, 80.4%, 12.6%, 33.2% and 55.4% of women respectively. Variation was observed with different socio-economic variables. Multiple regression model could explain 38% of variance (P<0.001). Among the significant determinants, order of last birth negatively explained the most variance (15.2%). Similarly, distance between home and clinic was found to affect the utilization negatively. Besides, some respondents’ socio economic variables had a significant positive effect on MHCS utilization. To reduce maternal mortality in disadvantaged women in slum areas, this study might suggest a few pointers while considering formulation of policies and planning. Keywords: determinants; utilization; maternal health care; service; slum areas DOI: 10.3329/imcj.v4i2.6495Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2010; 4(2): 44-48

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Overview of equity in maternal health care coverage by ethnicity

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.830 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

N Armenta-Paulino ◽

M Sandín Vázquez ◽

F Bolúmar

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Maternal Mortality ◽

Skilled Birth Attendant ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Indigenous Women ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Care Coverage ◽

The Continuum

Abstract Background Indigenous women are one of the most vulnerable groups in Latin America. They experience substantially worse maternal health outcomes than most of the population and less likely to benefit from services. Therefore, inequities in maternal health care between different ethnic groups should be monitored to identify critical factors that could limit health care coverage. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of the continuum of maternal health care, the indicators covering the continuum of women's care from pregnancy to the puerperium were estimated. We used nationally representative demographic surveys from Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru (2008-2016) to explore the coverage gaps across maternal health care by ethnicity. Women were classified as indigenous through self-identification, and we measured a relative inequality by ethnicity through the estimation of adjusted coverage ratios (CR), CR = 1 means that the coverage is equal between indigenous and non-indigenous. We estimated the CR with Poisson regression models adjusted for sociodemographic variables. Results Indigenous women in all four countries had less coverage than non-indigenous in the continuum of maternal healthcare. The most relevant inequalities occur in the coverage of skilled-birth-attendant and in the use of contraceptives, mainly for Bolivia [CR = 0.64, p < 0.001; CR = 0.91, p < 0.001] and Guatemala [CR = 0.78, p < 0.001; 0.77 (0.73;0.80), p < 0.001]. Peru and Mexico are the countries with the smallest gaps throughout the continuum care and Guatemala with the largest. Conclusions The differences observed reflect the inequities that indigenous women face in the coverage of maternal health care. Therefore, it is useful and necessary to monitor ethnicity inequalities to identify the factors that limit the coverage of care that indigenous women receive to design culturally appropriate programs and policies to reduce the risks of maternal mortality and the inequities in care that indigenous women face. Key messages As long as the inequalities persist, identifying them will be the first step in their elimination. If not reduce the differences in care, it will be difficult to reduce maternal mortality that indigenous women face.

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Assessment of the availability and use of maternal health supplies in the primary health care system in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

10.31899/rh3.1005 ◽

2013 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sarah Raifman ◽

Sisay Mellese ◽

Kelemua Hailemariam ◽

Ian Askew ◽

Annabel Erulkar

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Primary Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Health Care System ◽

Primary Health Care System ◽

Amhara Region ◽

Primary Health ◽

Care System

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Pattern of Severe Acute Maternal Morbidity in a Tertiary Care Institute

Journal of Lumbini Medical College ◽

10.22502/jlmc.v3i2.72 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 45

Author(s):

Narinder Kaur ◽

Shreyashi Aryal

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Maternal Mortality ◽

Maternal Morbidity ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

College Teaching ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Near Miss ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Severe Acute Maternal Morbidity

Introduction: Maternal mortality traditionally has been the indicator of maternal health all over the world. More recently review of the cases of severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM), also termed as "near miss obstetrics events", has been found to be a useful supplementary indicator to investigate maternal health care. Cases of near miss are those in which women present with potentially fatal complication during pregnancy, delivery, or the puerperium and survive merely by chance or by good hospital care. This study was done with the objective to analyze cases of SAMM at Lumbini Medical College Teaching Hospital (LMCTH), Nepal. Methods: A retrospective study of all cases meeting the WHO criteria for SAMM, during May 2015, was done. Cases meeting the WHO eligibility criteria for near miss cases were included in the study. Medical record of such cases in past one year was reviewed. Their socio-demographic variables, parity, gestational age, associated organ dysfunction, ICU and hospital stay, management, and fetal and maternal outcome were noted. Results: During the study period, there were total of 28 cases of SAMM and two maternal mortality out of 2735 live births. Thus rate of SAMM was 1.02%, and maternal mortality rate was 0.07%. Majority of patients were unbooked (n=18, 64.28%) and 10 (35.71%) were illiterate. Commonest causes for admission to ICU was hemorrhage (n=10, 35.71%) followed by hypertensive disorders (n=9, 32.06%), sepsis (n=2, 7.14%), and obstructed labour (n=2, 7.14%). Laparotomy was performed in six (21.42%) women, obstetric hysterectomy in four (14.28%), and pelvic devascularization in two (10.71%). Conclusion: SAMM is a useful adjunct to maternal mortality to assess maternal health care. Improving facility based care and prompt referral, education of primary health care (PHC) staff can be a short term measure to quickly reduce the number of maternal deaths. Facility based monitoring and reporting of SAMM outcome is an important step for scaling up such efforts.

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Benefits of and Barriers to Male Involvement in Maternal Health Care in Ibanda District, Southwestern, Uganda

Open Journal of Preventive Medicine ◽

10.4236/ojpm.2021.1112032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 411-424

Author(s):

Fred Bagenda ◽

Vincent Batwala ◽

Christopher Garimoi Orach ◽

Elizabeth Nabiwemba ◽

Lynn Atuyambe

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Male Involvement ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Southwestern Uganda

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Male Involvement in Maternal Health Care at Anomabo, Central Region, Ghana

International Journal of Reproductive Medicine ◽

10.1155/2017/2929013 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Joshua Panyin Craymah ◽

Robert Kwame Oppong ◽

Derek Anamaale Tuoyire

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Antenatal Care ◽

Central Region ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Male Involvement ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Care Services ◽

Maternal Health Care Services ◽

Sampling Procedures

Background. Globally, male involvement in maternal health care services remains a challenge to effective maternal health care accessibility and utilization. Objective. This study assessed male involvement in maternal health care services and associated factors in Anomabo in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods. Random sampling procedures were employed in selecting 100 adult male respondents whose partners were pregnant or had given birth within twelve months preceding the study. Pearson Chi-Square and Fisher’s exact tests were conducted to assess the association of sociodemographic and enabling/disenabling factors with male involvement in maternal health care services. Results. Some 35%, 44%, and 20% of men accompanied their partners to antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care services, respectively. Male involvement in antenatal care and delivery was influenced by sociodemographic (partner’s education, type of marriage, living arrangements, and number of children) and enabling/disenabling (distance to health facility, attitude of health workers, prohibitive cultural norms, unfavourable health policies, and gender roles) factors. Conclusion. The low male involvement in maternal health care services warrants interventions to improve the situation. Public health interventions should focus on designing messages to diffuse existing sociocultural perceptions and health care provider attitudes which influence male involvement in maternal health care services.

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