scholarly journals The status of emergency obstetric and newborn care in post-conflict eastern DRC: a facility-level cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge-André Mizerero ◽  
Calistus Wilunda ◽  
Patou Masika Musumari ◽  
Masako Ono-Kihara ◽  
Gerrye Mubungu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Newborn Care ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Newborn Health ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Who Standards

Abstract Background Pregnancy-related mortality remains persistently higher in post-conflict areas. Part of the blame lies with continued disruption to vital care provision, especially emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC). In such settings, assessment of EmONC is essential for data-driven interventions needed to reduce preventable maternal and neonatal mortality. In the North Kivu Province (NKP), the epicentre of armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 2006 and 2013, the post-conflict status of EmONC is unknown. We assessed the availability, use, and quality of EmONC in 3 health zones (HZs) of the NKP to contribute to informed policy and programming in improving maternal and newborn health (MNH) in the region. Method A cross-sectional survey of all 42 public facilities designated to provide EmONC in 3 purposively selected HZs in the NKP (Goma, Karisimbi, and Rutshuru) was conducted in 2017. Interviews, reviews of maternity ward records, and observations were used to assess the accessibility, use, and quality of EmONC against WHO standards. Results Only three referral facilities (two faith-based facilities in Goma and the MSF-supported referral hospital of Rutshuru) met the criteria for comprehensive EmONC. None of the health centres qualified as basic EmONC, nor could they offer EmONC services 24 h, 7 days a week (24/7). The number of functioning EmONC per 500,000 population was 1.5. Assisted vaginal delivery was the least performed signal function, followed by parenteral administration of anticonvulsants, mainly due to policy restrictions and lack of demand. The 3 HZs fell short of WHO standards for the use and quality of EmONC. The met need for EmONC was very low and the direct obstetric case fatality rate exceeded the maximum acceptable level. However, the proportion the proportion of births by caesarean section in EmONC facilities was within acceptable range in the HZs of Goma and Rutshuru. Overall, the intrapartum and very early neonatal death rate was 1.5%. Conclusion This study provides grounds for the development of coordinated and evidence-based programming, involving local and external stakeholders, as part of the post-conflict effort to address maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in the NKP. Particular attention to basic EmONC is required, focusing on strengthening human resources, equipment, supply chains, and referral capacity, on the one hand, and on tackling residual insecurity that might hinder 24/7 staff availability, on the other.

scholarly journals The Status of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care in Post-Conflict Eastern DRC: A Facility-Level Cross-Sectional Study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge-André Uwunva MIZERERO ◽  
Calistus Wilunda ◽  
Patou Masika Musumari ◽  
Masako Ono-Kihara ◽  
Gerrye Mubungu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Newborn Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The North ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Who Standards ◽  
The Status ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Abstract Background Pregnancy-related mortality remains persistently higher in post-conflict areas. Part of the blame lies with continued disruption to vital care provision, especially emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC). In such settings, assessment of EmONC is essential for informed interventions needed to improve maternal and neonatal survival. In the North Kivu Province (NKP), the epicentre of armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 2006-2013, the post-conflict status of EmONC is unknown. We assessed the availability, use, and quality of EmONC in 3 health zones (HZs) of the NKP.Method A cross-sectional survey of all 42 public facilities designated to provide EmONC in 3 HZs (Goma, Karisimbi, and Rutshuru), purposively selected based on their relative proximity to previous conflicts and their respective locations encompassing the entire economic landscape of the province, was conducted in 2017. Interviews, reviews of maternity ward records, and observations were used to assess the accessibility, use, and quality of EmONC against WHO standards.Results The 3 HZs fell short of WHO standards. Only three referral facilities (two faith-based facilities in Goma and the MSF-run referral hospital of Rutshuru) met the criteria for comprehensive EmONC, i.e., 1.5 EmONC facilities per 500,000 population. None of the health centres qualified as basic EmONC, nor could offer obstetric and neonatal care services 24 hours, 7 days a week (24/7). Assisted vaginal delivery was the least performed signal function, followed by parenteral administration of anticonvulsants, mostly due to policy restrictions and lack of demand. Moreover, none of the HZs could achieve a direct-obstetric case facility rate of at most 1% and, the met need for EmONC was as low as 6.5% and 5.4% in Goma and Rutshuru, respectively. However, the proportion of births by caesarean section in EmONC facilities met the minimum standard in both HZs. Overall, the intrapartum and very early neonatal death rate was 1.5%.Conclusion This study provides grounds for the development of coordinated and evidence-based programming, involving local and external stakeholders, as part of the post-conflict effort to improve maternal and neonatal health in the NKP. Particular attention to basic EmONC is required, focusing on strengthening human resources, equipment, supply chains, and referral capacity, on the one hand, and on tackling residual insecurity that might hinder 24/7 staff availability, on the other.

scholarly journals Gender discrimination as a barrier to high-quality maternal and newborn health care in Nigeria: findings from a cross-sectional quality of care assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chioma Oduenyi ◽  
Joya Banerjee ◽  
Oniyire Adetiloye ◽  
Barbara Rawlins ◽  
Ugo Okoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Family Planning ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Newborn Health ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Assessment

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.

scholarly journals Translation and validation of Training Needs Analysis Questionnaire among reproductive, maternal and newborn health workers in Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tumbwene Mwansisya ◽  
Columba Mbekenga ◽  
Kahabi Isangula ◽  
Loveluck Mwasha ◽  
Eunice Pallangyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Newborn Health ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Continuous professional development (CPD) has been reported to enhance healthcare workers’ knowledge and skills, improve retention and recruitment, improve the quality of patient care, and reduce patient mortality. Therefore, validated training needs assessment tools are important to facilitate the design of effective CPD programs. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaires. Participants were healthcare workers in reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health (RMNH) from seven hospitals, 12 health centers, and 17 dispensaries in eight districts of Mwanza Region, Tanzania. The training needs analysis (TNA) tool that was used for data collection was adapted and translated into Kiswahili from English version of the Hennessy-Hicks’ Training Need Analysis Questionnaire (TNAQ). Results In total, 153 healthcare workers participated in this study. Most participants were female 83 % (n = 127), and 76 % (n = 115) were nurses. The average age was 39 years, and the mean duration working in RMNH was 7.9 years. The reliability of the adapted TNAQ was 0.954. Assessment of construct validity indicated that the comparative fit index was equal to 1. Conclusions The adapted TNAQ appears to be reliable and valid for identifying professional training needs among healthcare workers in RMNH settings in Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to test the use of the TNAQ in broader healthcare systems and settings.

scholarly journals Essential Medicine and Equipment for Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care in Zanzibar: Situation at a Glance

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Andrea B. Pembe ◽  
Bruno Sunguya ◽  
Stella Mushy ◽  
Sebalda Leshabari ◽  
George Kiwango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Mortality ◽  
Essential Medicine ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Newborn Health ◽  
Structure Interview ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Live Births ◽  
Delivery Services

Background:Maternal and neonatal mortality are unacceptably high in Zanzibar. Maternal mortality and neonatal mortality ratio stand at 350 per 100,000 live births and 29 per 1,000 live births respectively as of 2018. Addressing challenges facing maternal and newborn health requires among others, the assurance of essential medicine and equipment to deliver evidence based interventions. This paper reports evidence gathered on the availability of essential medicines and equipment in providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmoNC) services in Zanzibar. Methods:A cross-sectional mixed methods study design was used to collect information on the availability of drugs and equipment from all health facilities providing delivery services in Zanzibar. Semi-structure interview guide was used to carry in-depth interviews (IDIs) with health facility in-charges while observation on availability of essential medicine and equipment for EmONC was carried using standard observation guide as adopted from Averting Maternal Death and Disability program.

scholarly journals Assessment of Availability and Quality of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Service in Southwestern Oromia, Ethiopia, 2017

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Dejene Edosa
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Signal Functions

Background. Emergency obstetrics and newborn care (EmONC) is an important lifesaving function which can avert the death of women facing obstetrics-related complications. It is a cost-effective, significant intervention to decrease maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in poor resource settings, including Ethiopia. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the availability and quality of the EmONC services in southwestern Oromia, Ethiopia, in 2017. Methods. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was implemented from April to May 2017. Data were collected using checklists and questionnaires developed from different studies. Data were analyzed using EPI-info and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. Each descriptive statistic was summarized using frequency, percentage, and tables for categorical variables. Results. Despite the fact that the overall coverage of fully functioning basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) facilities was greater than 5 per 500,000 people, nearly one-fourth (25.64%) provided less than expected signal functions, indicating that these facilities were nonfunctional. There were only 0.24 comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEmONC) facilities per 500,000 people. The result of this study also revealed that the quality of EmONC facilities in all health-care settings was poor. Conclusion and Recommendation. There were gaps in performance signal functions as well as the availability and quality of EmONC in the study area. Availability and quality of EmONC necessitate improvements through enhancing health-care providers’ skills by training and mentoring as well as enabling facilities accessible for utilization of EmONC. Further research is needed to identify factors that could be barriers to the performance quality and coverage of EmONC services.

scholarly journals Quality of Pre-Service Midwifery Education in Public and Private Midwifery Schools in Afghanistan: A Cross Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Partamin Manalai ◽  
Sheena Currie ◽  
Massoma Jafari ◽  
Nasratullah Ansari ◽  
Hannah Tappis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Midwifery Education ◽  
Quality Aspects

Abstract Background Midwives are the key skilled birth attendants in Afghanistan. Rapid assessment of public and private midwifery education schools was conducted in 2017 to examine compliance with national educational standards. Aim was to assess midwifery education to inform Afghanistan Nurses and Midwives Council and other stakeholders priorities for improving quality of midwifery education. Methods A cross-sectional assessment was conducted from September 12–December 17, 2017, using a modified Midwifery Education Rapid Assessment Tool to assess education quality aspects related to infrastructure, management, teachers, preceptors, clinical practice sites, curriculum and students in 29 midwifery schools. A purposive sample of six Institute of Health Sciences schools, seven Community Midwifery Education schools and 16 private midwifery schools was used. Participants were midwifery school staff, students and clinical preceptors. Results Libraries were available in 28/29 (97%) schools, active skills labs in 20/29 (69%), childbirth simulators in 17/29 (59%) and newborn resuscitation models in 28/29 (97%). School managers were midwives in 21/29 (72%) schools. Median numbers of students per teacher and students per preceptor were 8 (range 2–50) and 6 (range 2–20). There were insufficient numbers of teachers practicing midwifery (132/163; 81%), trained in teaching skills (113/163; 69%) and trained in emergency obstetric and newborn care (88/163; 54%). There was an average of 13 students at clinical sites in each shift. Students managed an average of 15 births independently during their training, while 40 births are required. Twenty-four percent (7/29) of schools used the national 2015 curriculum alone or combined with an older one. Ninety-one percent (633/697) of students reported access to clinical sites and skills labs. Students mentioned, however, insufficient clinical practice, lack of education materials, transport facilities and disrespect from school teachers, preceptors and clinical site providers as challenges. Conclusions Positive findings included availability of required infrastructure, amenities, approved curricula in 7 of the 29 midwifery schools, appropriate clinical sites and students’ commitment to work as midwives upon graduation. Gaps identified were use of different often outdated curricula, inadequate clinical practice, underqualified teachers and preceptors and failure to graduate all students with sufficient skills such as independently having supported 40 births.

scholarly journals Can the Timed and Targeted Counseling Model Improve the Quality of Maternal and Newborn Health Care? A Process Analysis in the Rural Hoima District in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4410
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Babughirana ◽  
Sanne Gerards ◽  
Alex Mokori ◽  
Isaac Charles Baigereza ◽  
Alex Mukembo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Newborn Health ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Village Health ◽  
Maternal And Newborn ◽  
Village Health Teams

Each year, more than half a million women die worldwide from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and nearly 4 million newborns die within 28 days of birth. In Uganda, 15 women die every single day from pregnancy and childbirth-related causes, 94 babies are stillborn, and 81 newborn babies die. Cost-effective solutions for the continuum of care can be achieved through Village Health Teams to improve home care practices and health care-seeking behavior. This study aims at examining the implementation of the timed and targeted counseling (ttC) model, as well as improving maternal and newborn health care practices. We conducted a quantitative longitudinal study on pregnant mothers who were recruited on suspicion of the pregnancy and followed-up until six weeks post-delivery. The household register was the primary data source, which was collected through a secondary review of the ttC registers. All outcome and process variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study enrolled 616 households from 64 villages across seven sub-counties in Hoima district with a 98.5% successful follow-up rate. Over the course of the implementation period of ttC, there was an increase of 29.6% in timely 1st antenatal care, 28.7% in essential newborn care, 25.5% in exclusive breastfeeding, and 17.5% in quality of antenatal care. All these improvements were statistically significant. The findings from this study show that the application of the ttC model through Village Health Teams has great potential to improve the quality of antenatal and newborn care and the health-seeking practices of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in rural communities.

scholarly journals Quality of pre-service midwifery education in public and private midwifery schools in Afghanistan: a cross sectional survey

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Partamin Manalai ◽  
Sheena Currie ◽  
Massoma Jafari ◽  
Nasratullah Ansari ◽  
Hannah Tappis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Infrastructure Management ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Midwifery Education

Abstract Background Midwives are the key skilled birth attendants in Afghanistan. Rapid assessment of public and private midwifery education schools was conducted in 2017 to examine compliance with national educational standards. The aim was to assess midwifery education to inform Afghanistan Nurses and Midwives Council and other stakeholders on priorities for improving quality of midwifery education. Methods A cross-sectional assessment of midwifery schools was conducted from September 12–December 17, 2017. The Midwifery Education Rapid Assessment Tool was used to assess 29 midwifery programs related to infrastructure, management, teachers, preceptors, clinical practice sites, curriculum and students. A purposive sample of six Institute of Health Sciences schools, seven Community Midwifery Education schools and 16 private midwifery schools was used. Participants were midwifery school staff, students and clinical preceptors. Results Libraries were available in 28/29 (97%) schools, active skills labs in 20/29 (69%), childbirth simulators in 17/29 (59%) and newborn resuscitation models in 28/29 (97%). School managers were midwives in 21/29 (72%) schools. Median numbers of students per teacher and students per preceptor were 8 (range 2–50) and 6 (range 2–20). There were insufficient numbers of teachers practicing midwifery (132/163; 81%), trained in teaching skills (113/163; 69%) and trained in emergency obstetric and newborn care (88/163; 54%). There was an average of 13 students at clinical sites in each shift. Students managed an average of 15 births independently during their training, while 40 births are required. Twenty-four percent (7/29) of schools used the national 2015 curriculum alone or combined with an older one. Ninety-one percent (633/697) of students reported access to clinical sites and skills labs. Students mentioned, however, insufficient clinical practice due to low case-loads in clinical sites, lack of education materials, transport facilities and disrespect from school teachers, preceptors and clinical site providers as challenges. Conclusions Positive findings included availability of required infrastructure, amenities, approved curricula in 7 of the 29 midwifery schools, appropriate clinical sites and students’ commitment to work as midwives upon graduation. Gaps identified were use of different often outdated curricula, inadequate clinical practice, underqualified teachers and preceptors and failure to graduate all students with sufficient skills such as independently having supported 40 births.

scholarly journals Gender Discrimination as a Barrier to High-Quality Maternal and Newborn Health Care in Nigeria: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Quality of Care Assessment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chioma Oduenyi ◽  
Joya Banerjee ◽  
Oniyire Adetiloye ◽  
Barbara Rawlins ◽  
Ugo Okoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Newborn Health ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Assessment ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Maternal And Newborn

Abstract BackgroundPoor 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsSixty 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 three years.ConclusionAddressing 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.

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