scholarly journals Can contracted out health facilities improve access, equity, and quality of maternal and newborn health services? Evidence from Pakistan

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shehla Zaidi ◽  
Atif Riaz ◽  
Fauziah Rabbani ◽  
Syed Iqbal Azam ◽  
Syeda Nida Imran ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abera Biadgo ◽  
Aynalem Legesse ◽  
Abiy Seifu ◽  
Kavita Singh ◽  
Zewdie Mulissa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Despite reports of universal access to and modest utilization of maternal and newborn health services in Ethiopia, mothers and newborns continue to die from preventable causes. Studies indicate this could be due to poor quality of care provided in health systems. Evidences show that high quality health care prevents more than half of all maternal deaths. In Ethiopia, there is limited knowledge surrounding the status of the quality of maternal and newborn health care in health facilities. This study aims to assess the quality of maternal and neonatal health care provision at the health facility level in four regions in Ethiopia.Methodology: This study employed a facility-based cross-sectional study design. It included 32 health facilities which were part of the facilities for prototyping maternal and neonatal health quality improvement interventions. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and record reviews. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA for analysis. Descriptive analysis results are presented in texts, tables and graphs. Quality of maternal and neonatal health care was measured by input, process and outputs components. The components were developed by computing scores using standards used to measure the three components of the quality of maternal and neonatal health care.Result: The study was done in a total of 32 health facilities: 5 hospitals and 27 health centers in four regions. The study revealed that the average value of the quality of the maternal and neonatal health care input component among health facilities was 62%, while the quality of the process component was 43%. The quality of the maternal and neonatal health output component was 48%. According to the standard cut-off point for MNH quality of care, only 5 (15.6%), 3 (9.3%) and 3 (10.7%) of health facilities met the expected input, process and output maternal and neonatal health care quality standards, respectively.Conclusion: This study revealed that the majority of health facilities did not meet the national MNH quality of care standards. Focus should be directed towards improving the input, process and output standards of the maternal and neonatal health care quality, with the strongest focus on process improvement.


2022 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Lucy Natecho Namusonge ◽  
Maximilla N. Wanzala ◽  
Edwin K. Wamukoya

High maternal and newborn mortality is a pressing problem in developing countries. Poor treatment during childbirth contributes directly and indirectly to this problem. Many women experience disrespectful and abusive treatment during childbirth worldwide which violates their rights. In Kenya, 20% of women report having experienced some form of disrespect and abuse (D&A). Bungoma County is among the 15 counties with the worst maternal and newborn health statistics in Kenya. The maternal mortality rate is 382 per 100,000 live births and newborn deaths 32 per 1,000 live births, while skilled birth attendance is 41.4%. This study was motivated by the poor maternal and newborn indicators, rising incidences of D&A, limited formal research on respectful maternity care. The study aimed at assessing women’s experience of care during childbirth at Level 5 health facilities in Bungoma County. The specific objectives were to determine the women’s experiences of care during childbirth, to determine factors contributing to disrespect and abuse during childbirth and to identify strategies for addressing issues affecting respectful maternity care for promoting quality of maternal and newborn care. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. It involved 360 mothers. Analysis of quantitative data was done using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were presented in graphs, tables, frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. The prevalence of D&A was 42.2%, younger age and lower education aggravated D&A. Autonomy, privacy and confidentiality, and absence of birth companionship were major aspects of D&A. Health workforce shortage, inadequate supervision, space and beds, poor provider-patient relationships were factors leading to D&A. It was concluded that there is a need for increased incorporation of Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) in routine care, deploy more staff, avail equipment and supplies, and enhance support supervision. The study information intends to assist stakeholders in prioritising policy actions for improving the quality of maternal and newborn health outcomes and indicators.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abera Biadgo ◽  
Aynalem Legesse ◽  
Abiy Seifu Estifanos ◽  
Kavita Singh ◽  
Zewdie Mulissa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite reports of universal access to and modest utilization of maternal and newborn health services in Ethiopia, mothers and newborns continue to die from preventable causes. Studies indicate this could be due to poor quality of care provided in health systems. Evidences show that high quality health care prevents more than half of all maternal deaths. In Ethiopia, there is limited knowledge surrounding the status of the quality of maternal and newborn health care in health facilities. This study aims to assess the quality of maternal and neonatal health care provision at the health facility level in four regions in Ethiopia. Methodology This study employed a facility-based cross-sectional study design. It included 32 health facilities which were part of the facilities for prototyping maternal and neonatal health quality improvement interventions. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and record reviews. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA for analysis. Descriptive analysis results are presented in texts, tables and graphs. Quality of maternal and neonatal health care was measured by input, process and outputs components. The components were developed by computing scores using standards used to measure the three components of the quality of maternal and neonatal health care. Result The study was done in a total of 32 health facilities: 5 hospitals and 27 health centers in four regions. The study revealed that the average value of the quality of the maternal and neonatal health care input component among health facilities was 62%, while the quality of the process component was 43%. The quality of the maternal and neonatal health output component was 48%. According to the standard cut-off point for MNH quality of care, only 5 (15.6%), 3 (9.3%) and 3 (10.7%) of health facilities met the expected input, process and output maternal and neonatal health care quality standards, respectively. Conclusion This study revealed that the majority of health facilities did not meet the national MNH quality of care standards. Focus should be directed towards improving the input, process and output standards of the maternal and neonatal health care quality, with the strongest focus on process improvement.


Author(s):  
Alemayehu Hunduma Higi ◽  
Gurmesa Tura Debelew ◽  
Lelisa Sena Dadi

Background: Health extension workers (HEWs) have substantial inputs to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. However, their perceptions and experiences were not well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to explore their perceptions and experiences on facilitators and barriers to maternal and newborn health services in Ethiopia. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted from 8–28 April 2021 in Oromia, Amhara and Southern Nation, Nationality, and People’s Regional State of Ethiopia. Focused group discussions were made with purposively selected 60 HEWs. The data were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. An inductive thematic analysis was carried out using Atlas ti.7.1. The findings were presented in major themes, categories, and sub-categories with supporting quote(s). Results: The findings were categorized into two major themes (i.e., facilitators and barriers) and seven sub-themes. Community-related facilitators encompass awareness and behavior at the individual, family, and community. Significant others such as traditional birth attendants, religious leaders, women developmental armies, and kebele chairman substantially contributed to service utilization. Availability/access to infrastructures such as telephone, transportation services, and solar energy systems facilitated the service utilization. Furthermore, health facility-related facilitators include the availability of HEWs; free services; supervision and monitoring; maternity waiting rooms; and access to ambulance services. Maternal and newborn health services were affected by community-related barriers (i.e., distance, topography, religious and socio-cultural beliefs/practices, unpleasant rumors, etc.,), health facility-related barriers (i.e., health worker’s behaviors; lack of logistics; lack of adequate ambulance service, and placement and quality of health post), and infrastructure (i.e., lack or poor quality of road and lack of water). Conclusions: The HEWs perceived and experienced a wide range of facilitators and barriers that affected maternal and newborn health services. The study findings warrant that there was a disparity in behavioral factors (awareness, beliefs, and behaviors) among community members, including pregnant women. This underscores the need to design health education programs and conduct social and behavioral change communication interventions to address individuals, families, and the broader community to enhance maternal and newborn health service utilization. On the other hand, the health sector should put into practice the available strategies, and health workers provide services with empathy, compassion, and respect.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chioma Oduenyi ◽  
Joya Banerjee ◽  
Oniyire Adetiloye ◽  
Barbara Rawlins ◽  
Ugo Okoli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Poor reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health outcomes in Nigeria can be attributed to several factors, not limited to low health service coverage, a lack of quality care, and gender inequity. Providers’ gender-discriminatory attitudes, and men’s limited positive involvement correlate with poor utilization and quality of services. We conducted a study at the beginning of a large family planning (FP) and maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health program in Kogi and Ebonyi States of Nigeria to assess whether or not gender plays a role in access to, use of, and delivery of health services. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, baseline quality of care assessment from April–July 2016 to inform a maternal and newborn health project in health facilities in Ebonyi and Kogi States. We observed 435 antenatal care consultations and 47 births, and interviewed 138 providers about their knowledge, training, experiences, working conditions, gender-sensitive and respectful care, and workplace gender dynamics. The United States Agency for International Development’s Gender Analysis Framework was used to analyze findings. Results Sixty percent of providers disagreed that a woman could choose a family planning method without a male partner’s involvement, and 23.2% of providers disagreed that unmarried clients should use family planning. Ninety-eight percent believed men should participate in health services, yet only 10% encouraged women to bring their partners. Harmful practices were observed in 59.6% of deliveries and disrespectful or abusive practices were observed in 34.0%. No providers offered clients information, services, or referrals for gender-based violence. Sixty-seven percent reported observing or hearing of an incident of violence against clients, and 7.9% of providers experienced violence in the workplace themselves. Over 78% of providers received no training on gender, gender-based violence, or human rights in the past 3 years. Conclusion Addressing gender inequalities that limit women’s access, choice, agency, and autonomy in health services as a quality of care issue is critical to reducing poor health outcomes in Nigeria. Inherent gender discrimination in health service delivery reinforces the critical need for gender analysis, gender responsive approaches, values clarification, and capacity building for service providers.


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