scholarly journals Expectations and experiences of women regarding maternal healthcare services in Pakistan: challenges and lessons to be learnt

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeeha Malik ◽  
Katherine Prescott ◽  
Maliha Khalid ◽  
Ayisha Hashmi ◽  
Ayyaz Kiani
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Saturation Point ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
Care Services

Abstract Background Access to maternal healthcare services is an essential pre-requisite for improving women’s health. However, due to poor access and underutilization, women in developing countries remain vulnerable to various complications. Evaluation of quality maternal healthcare services in any country must include the opinions of the women being as a key stakeholder utilizing maternal healthcare services. Aim The present study was designed to evaluate the experiences, perceptions and expectations of pre-birth and post-birth women regarding utilization and delivery of maternal healthcare services in Pakistan. Methodology A qualitative study design was used. Snow ball sampling technique was adopted to identify the respondents. Interviews were conducted using semi-structures interview guide till saturation point was achieved. The sample size at saturation point for different respondents was: pre-birth women (n = 9) and post-birth women (n = 9). All interviews were recorded after getting permission from the respondents. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and were then subjected to thematic analysis. Results The age group for the pre-birth respondents was 23–43 years while for post-birth group it was 23–32 years. Most of the respondents from both groups were from urban setting. Most of them were either first time pregnant or were having experience of one pregnancy. Thematic analysis of the interviews yielded different themes and sub-themes including birth experience, maternal treatment pathway, identified barriers for quality maternal care, involvement in healthcare decision-making, impact of Covid 19, payment dynamics, role of digital health and recommendations for improving maternal care services. Conclusion The results of the present study concluded that the overall quality of the maternal care services provided in Pakistan was not up to the mark. High rate of caesarian section was prevalent. Majority of the women were not involved in the decision-making process or provided with any birth plan or counselling regarding birth signs, family planning, danger and birth signs. The cost of maternal care was quite high and not affordable for all.

scholarly journals Satisfaction with Maternal Healthcare Services in the Ketu South Municipality, Ghana: A Qualitative Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Hubert Amu ◽  
Samuel H. Nyarko
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Unfavorable Condition

Background. Women’s satisfaction with maternal healthcare services is vital in quality healthcare delivery. However, the dearth of in-depth information on the issue is a challenge in Ghana. In this study, we explore women’s satisfaction with maternal care services at a health facility in the Ketu South Municipality, Ghana. Methods. This is a qualitative study that used a purposive sampling technique to select 15 women who attended a child welfare clinic at the facility for in-depth interviews. The interviews were tape-recorded, and the results presented in quotes in accordance with the themes that emerged. Results. The study found that respondents were generally satisfied with the quality of maternal healthcare services provided to them. However, they were dissatisfied with drug administration procedures at the facility. Respondents generally reported poor attitudes on the part of healthcare providers at the health facility. Some logistics were also reported to be in unfavorable condition. Nonetheless, respondents generally had positive perceptions about maternal care services provided to them by the healthcare facility. Conclusions. Drug administration procedures and attitude of healthcare providers toward clients as well as logistics need to be improved to enhance satisfaction with services at the health facility, particularly among pregnant women and mothers.

Quality Management in Primary Dental Care

2021 ◽  
pp. 192-212
Author(s):  
A. I. Syngelakis ◽  
Maria Kamariotou ◽  
Fotis C. Kitsios ◽  
Chrystala Charalambous ◽  
Argy Polychronopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
The Cost

In dental care services, quality is an important factor that affects decision making, the planning of health strategies and policies, the cost of health services, and the evaluation of them. The evaluation of quality in dental services using the assessment methods that are used in other services of primary healthcare is difficult due to the special characteristics of dentistry. However, the improvement and the evaluation of primary oral healthcare services is a complicated issue because it involves many factors that affect it. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to provide a complete overview of the literature using Webster and Watson's methodology. Fifty peer-reviewed papers were analyzed and the results of this review revealed that the number of publications in this domain has increased in the last decade, and there is a need to foster research (especially empirical) in this field.

Socioeconomic inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization in Zambia: 1997-2014

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhifei He ◽  
Ghose Bishwajit ◽  
Sanni Yaya ◽  
Zhaohui Cheng ◽  
Guo Shuyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postnatal Care ◽  
Multivariate Regression ◽  
Healthcare Utilisation ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Facility Delivery ◽  
Health Facility Delivery ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
Regression Methods ◽  
Care Services

Abstract Background Exploring the trends and socioeconomic inequalities in the use of maternal healthcare utilisation between 1997 and 2014. Methods Data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate regression methods. Results Women in the higher wealth quintiles (Q4 and Q5) generally had higher prevalence of using health facility delivery and postnatal care services compared with those in the lower wealth quintiles (Q1 and Q2), whereas the prevalence of timely and adequate ANC visit was comparatively higher among those in the lower wealth quintiles. Conclusion Findings indicated important sociodemographic inequalities in using maternal healthcare services, addressing which may help promote the utilisation of these services.

scholarly journals Factors influencing access and utilization of health services among older people during the COVID − 19 pandemic: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peivand Bastani ◽  
Mohammadtaghi Mohammadpour ◽  
Mahnaz Samadbeik ◽  
Misagh Bastani ◽  
Giampiero Rossi-Fedele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Older People ◽  
Service Utilization ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Utilization Of Healthcare

Abstract Background Access to healthcare and service utilization are both considered essential factors for improving the general health and wellbeing of older people, especially at the time of COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study is to explore factors affecting healthcare access and health service utilization for older people during the pandemic. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase were systematically searched for relevant articles. Access, utilization, health, elderly and COVID-19 were used as keywords in the search strategy. A total of 4308 articles were identified through the initial database search; 50 articles were included in the review as passing the eligibility criteria. The searches were conducted up to August 2021. Data extraction was performed, and evidence was descriptively illustrated. Thematic analysis was used to explore factors influencing the elderly’s access and utilization of healthcare services, using Max QDA10, a qualitative analysis software. Results Among articles included in the review (n = 50), a majority of the studies were from the United States (36%), followed by India (8%). According to the main healthcare services, a large number of articles (18%) were related to mental health services, followed by digital health services (16%). Factors were identified at an individual, provider and systems level. Seven main themes emerged from the thematic analysis, as determinants of elderly’s access and utilization of healthcare services during COVID-19 pandemic. These included: access to non-COVID related services, access to COVID-related services, literacy and education, accommodation challenges, perceived attitudes of aging, and policies and structures, and social determinants. Conclusion Mental health and digital health services were identified as major issues influencing or contributing to or influencing older people’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also argue on the importance of a rounded view, as attention to a range of factors is vital for policy decisions towards sustainable care and equitable interventions for improving the health of older people.

scholarly journals Why don’t illiterate women in rural, Northern Tanzania, access maternal healthcare?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dismas Matovelo ◽  
Pendo Ndaki ◽  
Victoria Yohani ◽  
Rose Laisser ◽  
Respicious Bakalemwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Health Messaging

Abstract Background In 2017, roughly 540 women in Sub-Saharan Africa died every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. To stem this public-health crisis, the WHO recommends a standard continuity of maternal healthcare, yet most women do not receive this care. Surveys suggest that illiteracy limits the uptake of the recommended care, yet little is understood about why this is so. This gap in understanding why healthcare is not sought by illiterate women compromises the ability of public health experts and healthcare providers to provide culturally relevant policy and practice. This study consequently explores the lived experiences related to care-seeking by illiterate women of reproductive age in rural Tanzania to determine why they may not access maternal healthcare services. Methods An exploratory, qualitative study was conducted in four communities encompassing eight focus group discussions with 81 illiterate women, 13 in-depth interviews with illiterate women and seven key-informant interviews with members of these communities who have first-hand experience with the decisions made by women concerning maternal care. Interviews were conducted in the informant’s native language. The interviews were coded, then triangulated. Results Two themes emerged from the analysis: 1) a communication gap arising from a) the women’s inability to read public-health documents provided by health facilities, and b) healthcare providers speaking a language, Swahili, that these women do not understand, and 2) a dependency by these women on family and neighbors to negotiate these barriers. Notably, these women understood of the potential benefits of maternal healthcare. Conclusions These women knew they should receive maternal healthcare but could neither read the public-health messaging provided by the clinics nor understand the language of the healthcare providers. More health needs of this group could be met by developing a protocol for healthcare providers to determine who is illiterate, providing translation services for those unable to speak Swahili, and graphic public health messaging that does not require literacy. A failure to address the needs of this at-risk group will likely mean that they will continue to experience barriers to obtaining maternal care with detrimental health outcomes for both mothers and newborns.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic Determinants of Maternal HealthCare Utilisation in Zambia: 1997-2014

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110674
Author(s):  
Zhifei He ◽  
Caihua Zhang ◽  
Shiming Wang ◽  
Ghose Bishwajit ◽  
Xinglong Yang
Keyword(s):  
Postnatal Care ◽  
Multivariate Regression ◽  
Healthcare Utilisation ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Facility Delivery ◽  
Health Facility Delivery ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
Regression Methods ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Care Visit

This study aims at exploring the trends and socioeconomic inequalities in the use of maternal healthcare utilization between 1997 and 2014. Data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate regression methods. Women in the higher wealth quintiles (Q4 and Q5) generally had higher prevalence of using health facility delivery and postnatal care services compared with those in the lower wealth quintiles (Q1 and Q2), whereas the prevalence of timely and adequate antenatal care visit was comparatively higher among those in the lower wealth quintiles. Findings indicated important sociodemographic inequalities in using maternal healthcare services, addressing which may help promote the utilization of these services.

scholarly journals Women’s autonomy and utilisation of maternal healthcare services in 31 Sub-Saharan African countries: results from the demographic and health surveys, 2010–2016

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e023128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chol Chol ◽  
Joel Negin ◽  
Kingsley Emwinyore Agho ◽  
Robert Graham Cumming
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
African Region ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Women’S Autonomy ◽  
Women's Autonomy ◽  
Sub Saharan

ObjectivesTo examine the association between women’s autonomy and the utilisation of maternal healthcare services across 31 Sub-Saharan African countries.Design, setting and participantsWe analysed the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) (2010–2016) data collected from married women aged 15–49 years. We used four DHS measures related to women’s autonomy: attitude towards domestic violence, attitude towards sexual violence, decision making on spending of household income made by the women solely or jointly with husbands and decision making on major household purchases made by the women solely or jointly with husbands. We used multiple logistic regression analyses to examine the association between women’s autonomy and the utilisation of maternal healthcare services adjusted for five potential confounders: place of residence, age at birth of the last child, household wealth, educational attainment and working status. Adjusted ORs (aORs) and 95% CI were used to produce the forest plots.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome measures were the utilisation of ≥4 antenatal care visits and delivery by skilled birth attendants (SBA).ResultsPooled results for all 31 countries (194 883 women) combined showed weak statistically significant associations between all four measures of women’s autonomy and utilisation of maternal healthcare services (aORs ranged from 1.07 to 1.15). The strongest associations were in the Southern African region. For example, the aOR for women who made decisions on household income solely or jointly with husbands in relation to the use of SBAs in the Southern African region was 1.44 (95% CI 1.21 to 1.70). Paradoxically, there were three countries where women with higher autonomy on some measures were less likely to use maternal healthcare services. For example, the aOR in Senegal for women who made decisions on major household purchases solely or jointly with husbands in relation to the use of SBAs (aOR=0.74 95% CI 0.59 to 0.94).ConclusionOur results revealed a weak relationship between women’s autonomy and the utilisation of maternal healthcare services. More research is needed to understand why these associations are not stronger.

Just in time elements extraction and prioritization for health care unit using decision making approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 1243-1263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahender Singh Kaswan ◽  
Rajeev Rathi ◽  
Mahipal Singh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Just In Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Services

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritize prime just-in-time (JIT) elements in Indian healthcare sector based on the degree of importance and difficulty. This facilitates the implementation of JIT philosophy in healthcare services without any failure as well as provides quality services to patients at low cost. Design/methodology/approach JIT elements related to health care services have been sorted out from comprehensive literature survey. Moreover, important and difficult JIT elements have been ranked on the basis of score obtained by the quantitative method using statistical tools. Furthermore, validation and prioritization of important JIT elements based on the degree of importance have been computed using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and best worst method (BWM). Findings The present work provides important, difficult and easy to implement JIT elements in healthcare services. Besides, this work justifies the application of decision-making tool (AHP, BWM) for the prioritization of JIT elements in the health care sector. Practical implications The present study develops a deep understanding of JIT concepts in health care services. Furthermore, it motivates professionals for implementing JIT in healthcare services with healthy situation for both hospital and supplier. Social implications The present work is beneficial for all the dimensions of sustainable development (social, economic and environmental). The implementation of JIT with a proper understanding of its elements results in an improved patient care, lesser cost of healthcare delivery, time and better management of associated medical items. This work also facilitates the proper management of inventory items together with the reduction in various Lean wastes with the proper implementation of JIT in healthcare. The reduction in various associated wastes leads to cleaner surrounding and lesser environmental degradation. Originality/value This paper outlines the need of a robust JIT approach in the healthcare sector for quality services. The efficacy of JIT, AHP and BWM has been explored to find out critical elements for successful JIT implementation in health care.

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