scholarly journals An Innovative Intervention to Improve Respectful Maternity Care in Three Districts in Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birkety Mengistu Jembere ◽  
Haregeweyni Alemu ◽  
Munir Kassa ◽  
Meseret Zelalem ◽  
Mehiret Abate ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mistreatment during childbirth are major violations of human rights and often deter women from accessing skilled delivery in health facilities. In Ethiopia, mistreatment has been documented to occur in up to 49.4% of mothers delivering in health facilities. This study describes the development, implementation and results of a novel intervention to improve respectful maternity care and decrease mistreatment in three districts in Ethiopia. Methods: As part of a national initiative to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in Ethiopia, we developed a novel respectful maternity care training module with three core components: testimonial videos, didactic sessions on communication, and onsite coaching. As of February 2017, we implemented the respectful maternity care training in three districts within the regions of Oromia; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s; and Tigray. Measures of births with privacy and a birth companion from a 27-month data from 17 health centers and three hospitals were analyzed using interrupted time series and a regression analysis was conducted to assess the significance of improvement. Facility level solutions applied to enhance privacy and birth companion were documented. Results: Analysis of the effectiveness of integrating respectful maternity care using available programmatic data showed significant improvement following the respectful maternity care training, which was sustained beyond the project intervention (regression coefficients ranging from 0.18 to 0.77). Several local solutions were devised and implemented in the health facilities to improve the experience of care for mothers. Conclusion: This study suggests that integrating the respectful maternity care training into the district-wide quality improvement collaborative is effective in improving respectful maternity care. Multi-pronged approach is especially helpful in enhancing respectful maternity care comprehensively. Use of testimonial videos helped providers to see their services from their clients’ perspective, the quality improvement training and coaching helped them reflect on potential root causes for this type of treatment and develop effective solutions.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birkety Mengistu Jembere ◽  
Haregeweyni Alemu ◽  
Munir Kassa ◽  
Meseret Zelalem ◽  
Mehiret Abate ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mistreatment of women during facility-based childbirth is a major violation of human rights and often deters women from accessing skilled delivery in health facilities. In Ethiopia, mistreatment has been documented to occur in up to 49.4% of mothers delivering in health facilities. This study describes the development, implementation and results of a novel intervention to improve respectful maternity care in Ethiopia. Methods: As part of a national initiative to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in Ethiopia, we developed a novel respectful maternity care training module with three core components: testimonial videos, a skills-building session on communication, and onsite coaching. The respectful maternity care training was conducted in February 2017 in three districts within three regions of Ethiopia. Facility level solutions applied to enhance the experience of care for mothers as a result of the training module were documented. Safe Childbirth Checklist data measuring privacy maintained and birth companion offered during labor and delivery were collected over 27 months from 17 health centers and three hospitals in the three districts. Interrupted time series and a regression analysis were conducted to assess the significance of improvement. Results: Data analysis showed significant improvement in the percentage of births with two elements of respectful maternal care—privacy maintained and birth companionship offered—following the respectful maternity care training, which was sustained beyond the project intervention (regression coefficients ranging from 18% to 77% for births with privacy and with birth companion offered). About 23 local solutions were devised and implemented in the health facilities that improved the experience of care for mothers. Conclusion: This study suggests that integrating the respectful maternity care training into a district-wide quality improvement collaborative is effective in improving respectful maternity care. Use of a multi-pronged approach is especially helpful in enhancing respectful maternity care comprehensively. Testimonial videos helped providers to see their services from their clients’ perspective, while quality improvement training and coaching helped them reflect on potential root causes for this type of treatment and develop effective solutions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Birkety Mengistu ◽  
Haregeweyni Alemu ◽  
Munir Kassa ◽  
Meseret Zelalem ◽  
Mehiret Abate ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mistreatment of women during facility-based childbirth is a major violation of human rights and often deters women from attending skilled birth. In Ethiopia, mistreatment occurs in up to 49.4% of mothers giving birth in health facilities. This study describes the development, implementation and results of interventions to improve respectful maternity care. As part of a national initiative to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in Ethiopia, we developed respectful maternity care training module with three core components: testimonial videos developed from key themes identified by staff as experiences of mothers, skills-building sessions on communication and onsite coaching. Respectful maternity care training was conducted in February 2017 in three districts within three regions. Methods Facility level solutions applied to enhance the experience of care were documented. Safe Childbirth Checklist data measuring privacy and birth companion offered during labor and childbirth were collected over 27 months from 17 health centers and three hospitals. Interrupted time series and regression analysis were conducted to assess significance of improvement using secondary routinely collected programmatic data. Results Significant improvement in the percentage of births with two elements of respectful maternal care—privacy and birth companionship offered— was noted in one district (with short and long-term regression coefficient of 18 and 27% respectively), while in the other two districts, results were mixed. The short-term regression coefficient in one of the districts was 26% which was not sustained in the long-term while in the other district the long-term coefficient was 77%. Testimonial videos helped providers to see their care from their clients’ perspectives, while quality improvement training and coaching helped them reflect on potential root causes for this type of treatment and develop effective solutions. This includes organizing tour to the birthing ward and allowing cultural celebrations. Conclusion This study demonstrated effective way of improving respectful maternity care. Use of a multipronged approach, where the respectful maternity care intervention was embedded in quality improvement approach helped in enhancing respectful maternity care in a comprehensive manner.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birkety Mengistu Jembere ◽  
Haregeweyni Alemu ◽  
Munir Kassa ◽  
Meseret Zelalem ◽  
Mehiret Abate ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundDisrespect and abuse (D&A) during childbirth are major violations of human rights and often deter women from accessing skilled delivery in health facilities. In Ethiopia, D&A has been documented to occur in up to 49.4% of mothers delivering in health facilities. This study describes the development, implementation and results of a novel intervention to improve respectful maternity care (RMC) and decrease D&A in three districts in Ethiopia.MethodsAs part of a national initiative to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in Ethiopia, we developed a novel RMC training module with three core components: testimonial videos, didactic sessions on communication, and onsite coaching. As of February 2017, we implemented the RMC training in three districts within the regions of Oromia; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s; and Tigray. Measures of births with privacy and a birth companion from a 27-month data from 17 health centers and three hospitals were analyzed using STATA version 13 for interrupted time series and a regression analysis was conducted to assess the significance of improvement. Facilitated discussions were conducted among health care providers to gauge the effectiveness of the videos. Facility level solutions applied to enhance RMC were documented. ResultsAn analysis of the effectiveness of integrating RMC using available programmatic data showed significant improvement following the RMC training, which was sustained beyond the project intervention (regression coefficients ranging from 0.18 to 0.77). Several local solutions were devised and implemented in the health facilities to improve the experience of care for mothers. Facilitated discussions with health care providers participating in the RMC training showed improved understanding of patients’ perspectives and the psychosocial needs of their clients. ConclusionThis study suggests that integrating the RMC training into the district-wide quality improvement (QI) collaborative is effective in improving RMC. Use of testimonial videos are especially helpful as they remind providers of the need to treat mothers with dignity and helps them reflect on potential root causes for this type of treatment and develop effective solutions.


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.


Curationis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy V. Summerton ◽  
Tsakani R. Mtileni ◽  
Maphei E. Moshabela

Background: South Africa has included birth companions in its national guidelines for maternity care and the revised Maternity Case Record, in and effort to improve the quality and experience of care. However, reservations amongst healthcare providers remain about the acceptability of birth companions in the labour ward.Objectives: To document the experiences and perceptions of birth companions who supported women in labour in a rural hospital in Limpopo Province where a Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) project was piloted.Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed. Purposive sampling was employed where all birth companions who supported a woman during labour and birth were included in the study. The experiences and perceptions of birth companions were captured using a birth companion feedback book during the period of 1st April to 30th August 2019. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.Results: Seventy-one (71) of the 73 birth companions only had positive responses about the birthing experience and how both the birth companion and woman in labour were treated. Two birth companions were dissatisfied with the treatment provided by the midwife that supported the birth.Conclusion: It is important for healthcare providers to understand the far reaching emotional and psychological impact of their attitudes and behaviour on, not only women in labour but also on others who witness their (healthcare providers) behaviour. Mechanisms to obtain feedback from birth companions should be integrated into strategies to improve the quality and experience of care for women during childbirth.


Author(s):  
Kavita Singh ◽  
Ilene Speizer ◽  
Pierre M Barker ◽  
Josephine Nana Afrakoma Agyeman-Duah ◽  
Justina Agula ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To evaluate the scale-up phase of a national quality improvement initiative across hospitals in Southern Ghana. Design This evaluation used a comparison of pre- and post-intervention means to assess changes in outcomes over time. Multivariable interrupted time series analyses were performed to determine whether change categories (interventions) tested were associated with improvements in the outcomes. Setting Hospitals in Southern Ghana Participants The data sources were monthly outcome data from intervention hospitals along with program records. Intervention The project used a quality improvement approach whereby process failures were identified by health staff and process changes were implemented in hospitals and their corresponding communities. The three change categories were: timely care-seeking, prompt provision of care and adherence to protocols. Main outcome measures Facility-level neonatal mortality, facility-level postneonatal infant mortality and facility-level postneonatal under-five mortality. Results There were significant improvements for two outcomes from the pre-intervention to the post-intervention phase. Postneonatal infant mortality dropped from 44.3 to 21.1 postneonatal infant deaths per 1000 admissions, while postneonatal under-five mortality fell from 23.1 to 11.8 postneonatal under-five deaths per 1000 admissions. The multivariable interrupted time series analysis indicated that over the long-term the prompt provision of care change category was significantly associated with reduced postneonatal under five mortality (β = −0.0024, 95% CI −0.0051, 0.0003, P < 0.10). Conclusions The reduced postneonatal under-five mortality achieved in this project gives support to the promotion of quality improvement as a means to achieve health impacts at scale.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e039616
Author(s):  
Alexander Manu ◽  
Nabila Zaka ◽  
Christina Bianchessi ◽  
Edward Maswanya ◽  
John Williams ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo assess respectful maternity care (RMC) in health facilities.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingForty-three (43) facilities across 15 districts in Bangladesh, 16 in Ghana and 12 in Tanzania.ParticipantsFacility managers; 325 providers (nurses/midwives/doctors)—Bangladesh (158), Ghana (86) and Tanzania (81); and 849 recently delivered women—Bangladesh (295), Ghana (381) and Tanzania (173)—were interviewed. Observation of 641 client–provider interactions was conducted—Bangladesh (387), Ghana (134) and Tanzania (120).AssessmentTrained social scientists and clinicians assessed infrastructure, policies, provision and women’s experiences of RMC (emotional support, respectful care and communication).Primary outcomeRMC provided and/or experienced by women.ResultsThree (20%) facilities in Bangladesh, four (25%) in Ghana and three (25%) in Tanzania had no maternity clients’ toilets and one-half had no handwashing facilities. Policies for RMC such as identification of client abuses were available: 81% (Ghana), 73% (Bangladesh) and 50% (Tanzania), but response was poor. Ninety-four (60%) Bangladeshi, 26 (30%) Ghanaian and 20 (25%) Tanzanian providers were not RMC trained. They provided emotional support during labour care to 107 (80%) women in Ghana, 95 (79%) in Tanzania and 188 (48.5%) in Bangladesh, and were often courteous with them—236 (61%) in Bangladesh, 119 (89%) in Ghana and 108 (90%) in Tanzania. Due to structural challenges, 169 (44%) women in Bangladesh, 49 (36%) in Ghana and 77 (64%) in Tanzania had no privacy during labour. Care was refused to 13 (11%) Tanzanian and 2 Bangladeshi women who could not pay illegal charges. Twenty-five (7%) women in Ghana, nine (6%) in Bangladesh and eight (5%) in Tanzania were verbally abused during care. Providers in all countries highly rated their care provision (95%–100%), and 287 (97%) of Bangladeshi women, 368 (97%) Ghanaians and 152 (88%) Tanzanians reported ‘satisfaction’ with the care they received. However, based on their facility experiences, significant (p<0.001) percentages—20% (Ghana) to 57% (Bangladesh)—will not return to the same facilities for future childbirth.ConclusionsFacilities in Bangladesh, Ghana and Tanzania have foundational systems that facilitate RMC. Structural inadequacies and policy gaps pose challenges. Many women were, however, unwilling to return to the same facilities for future deliveries although they (and providers) highly rated these facilities.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document