scholarly journals Demand sensing and digital tracking for maternal child health (MCH) in Uganda: a pilot study for ‘E+TRA Health’

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawei Wang ◽  
Rhoann Kerh ◽  
Sungbum Jun ◽  
Seokcheon Lee ◽  
Roy Mayega2 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Care Process ◽  
Maternal Child Health ◽  
Supply Chain Management System ◽  
Maternal Child

Abstract Background The Electronic tracking system for healthcare commodities (E+TRA Health) is an all-in-one out- of-box solution for supply chain management system of healthcare commodities for lower-level health facilities in rural areas. It aims to support real-time monitoring and decision-making to (1) reduce the time needed to prepare orders, (2) reduce stockout and overstock cases of targeted medical supplies, (3) help improve patient outcomes. In this study, we adopted an integrated approach to analyze the process of information flow, identify and address critical paths of essential supplies associated with maternal health in the Ugandan health system. Methods We apply system engineering principles and work with community partners in hospitals to develop care process workflow charts (based on essential services) for the lifecycle of maternal health continuum of care. Based on this chart, we develop a local cloud-based offline-compatible smart sync platform named “E+TRA Health” to triangulate 1) patient admission, diagnoses, delivery information, testing reports from laboratories, 2) inventory information from main store, stores in Maternal Child Health (MCH) unit, and 3) lab, to identify the critical list of medical and laboratory supplies, their lead times for procurement and then generate reports and suggested procurement plans for real time decision-making. Results The E+TRA Health platform was piloted in two Healthcare Center IV facilities in Uganda over a period of 6 months. The system collected more than 5,000 patient records and managed more than 500 types of medicines. The pilot study demonstrated the functionalities of E+TRA Health and its feasibility to sense demand from point of care. Conclusion E+TRA Health is the first to triangulate supply and demand data from three different departments (main store, lab, and MCH) to forecast and generate orders automatically to meet patient demands. It is capable of generating reports required by MOH in real time compared to one-week lead-time using paper-based systems. This prompts frontline stakeholders to generate efficient, reliable and sustainable strategic healthcare plans with real time data. This system improves patient outcomes through better commodity availability by sensing true patient demands.

scholarly journals Access to maternal-child health and HIV services for women in North-Central Nigeria: A qualitative exploration of the male partner perspective

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243611
Author(s):  
Maryam Al-Mujtaba ◽  
Nadia A. Sam-Agudu ◽  
Nguavese Torbunde ◽  
Muktar H. Aliyu ◽  
Llewellyn J. Cornelius
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Male Partner ◽  
Maternal Child Health ◽  
North Central ◽  
Health Decision Making ◽  
Health Decision ◽  
Child Healthcare ◽  
Maternal Child

Background In much of sub-Saharan Africa, male partners play influential roles in women's access to maternal-child healthcare, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services. We explored male partner perspectives on women’s access to maternal-child healthcare in North-Central Nigeria. Methods Three focus groups were conducted with 30 men, purposefully-selected on the basis of being married, and rural or urban residence. Major themes explored were men’s maternal-child health knowledge, gender power dynamics in women’s access to healthcare, and peer support for pregnant and postpartum women. Data were manually analyzed using Grounded Theory, which involves constructing theories out of data collected, rather than applying pre-formed theories. Results Mean participant age was 48.3 years, with 36.7% aged <40 years, 46.7% between 41 and 60 years, and 16.6% over 60 years old. Religious affiliation was self-reported; 60% of participants were Muslim and 40% were Christian. There was consensus on the acceptability of maternal-child health services and their importance for optimal maternal-infant outcomes. Citing underlying patriarchal norms, participants acknowledged that men had more influence in family health decision-making than women. However, positive interpersonal couple relationships were thought to facilitate equitable decision-making among couples. Financial constraints, male-unfriendly clinics and poor healthcare worker attitudes were major barriers to women’s access and male partner involvement. The provision of psychosocial and maternal peer support from trained women was deemed highly acceptable for both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. Conclusions Strategic engagement of community leaders, including traditional and religious leaders, is needed to address harmful norms and practices underlying gender inequity in health decision-making. Gender mainstreaming, where the needs and concerns of both men and women are considered, should be applied in maternal-child healthcare education and delivery. Clinic fee reductions or elimination can facilitate service access. Finally, professional organizations can do more to reinforce respectful maternity care among healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Selecting contextually appropriate performance indicators in a circumpolar context: a modified Delphi approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Rich ◽  
Thomsen D’Hont ◽  
Kellie E. Murphy ◽  
Jeremy Veillard ◽  
Susan Chatwood
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Maternity Care ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Maternal Child Health ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Delphi Approach ◽  
Maternal Child

Abstract Background Meaningful performance measurement requires indicators to be scientifically robust and strategically focused. For many circumpolar states, indicators aligned with national strategies may ignore the priorities of northern, remote, or Indigenous populations. The aim of this project was to identify contextually appropriate performance indicators for maternity care in circumpolar regions. Methods Fourteen maternity care and health systems experts participated in a modified Delphi consensus process. The list of proposed indicators was derived from a previously published scoping review. Fourteen participants rated each proposed indicator according to importance, circumpolar relevance, validity, and reliability and suggested additional indicators for consideration. Results Consensus was achieved after two rounds, as measured by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.87. Eleven indicators, many of which represented physical health outcomes, were ranked highly on all four criteria. Twenty-nine additional indicators, largely focused on social determinants of health, health care responsiveness, and accessibility, were identified for further research. Travel for care, cultural safety and upstream structural determinants of health were identified as important themes. Conclusions This study identified the important gaps between current performance measurement strategies and the context and values that permeate maternal-child health in circumpolar regions. The indicators identified in this study provide an important foundation for ongoing work. We recommend that future work encompass an appreciation for the intersectoral nature of social, structural, and colonial determinants of maternal-child health in circumpolar regions.

Genetic Testing, Genetic Information, and the Role of Maternal-Child Health Nurses in Israel

2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivia Barnoy ◽  
Dorit Appel ◽  
Chava Peretz ◽  
Hana Meiraz ◽  
Mally Ehrenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Testing ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Genetic Information ◽  
Maternal Child Health ◽  
Maternal Child

scholarly journals DETERMINANTS OF USE OF MATERNAL–CHILD HEALTH SERVICES IN RURAL GHANA

2000 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
ISAAC ADDAI
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Child Health Services ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Maternal Child Health ◽  
Place Of Delivery ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Religious Background ◽  
Rural Ghana ◽  
Region Of Residence ◽  
Maternal Child

This study uses data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) of 1993 to examine factors determining the use of maternal–child health (MCH) services in rural Ghana. The MCH services under study are: (1) use of a doctor for prenatal care; (2) soliciting four or more antenatal check-ups; (3) place of delivery; (4) participation in family planning. Bivariate and multivariate techniques are employed in the analyses. The analyses reveal that the use of MCH services tends to be shaped mostly by level of education, religious background and region of residence, and partially by ethnicity and occupation. The implications of these results are discussed.

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