Indicators and gaps for monitoring service provision along the continuum of care for maternal health in South Africa
Abstract Objective This study assesses indicators for service provision along the continuum of care for maternal health at subnational levels in South Africa. It applies the emerging construct of adequacy of the continuum of care to assess multi-dimensionality of available indicators. Using adequacy and the process of assessment in the study, the comprehensiveness of the continuum of care for improving maternal health outcomes can be assessed. Results We found indicators along the adequacy dimensions of care utilization and access, linkages of care, and quality of care in the routine district health information system. The General Household Survey contained indicators for the social determinants of health on the continuum of care framework. Indicator gaps include health promotion during and after pregnancy, maternal nutrition, empowerment and quality of care. At present, the available indicators measure about 74% of the interventions on the continuum of care framework. We make recommendations regarding improvements needed to better measure and monitor the continuum of care for maternal health. These involve actions within the health system and include integration of non-health system indicators.