Rural healthcare workers views on the introduction of solar power and oxygen concentrators in health facilities in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN), improved diagnosis and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) have reduced malaria prevalence in Papua New Guinea since 2008. Yet, national incidence trends are inconclusive due to confounding effects of the scale-up of rapid diagnostic tests, and inconsistencies in routine reporting. Methods Malaria trends and their association with LLIN and ACT roll-out between 2010 and 2014 in seven sentinel health facilities were analysed. The analysis included 35,329 fever patients. Intervention effects were estimated using regression models. Results Malaria incidence initially ranged from 20 to 115/1000 population; subsequent trends varied by site. Overall, LLIN distributions had a cumulative effect, reducing the number of malaria cases with each round (incidence rate ratio ranging from 0.12 to 0.53 in five sites). No significant reduction was associated with ACT introduction. Plasmodium falciparum remained the dominant parasite in all sentinel health facilities. Resurgence occurred in one site in which a shift to early and outdoor biting of anophelines had previously been documented. Conclusions LLINs, but not ACT, were associated with reductions of malaria cases in a range of settings, but sustainability of the gains appear to depend on local factors. Malaria programmes covering diverse transmission settings such as Papua New Guinea must consider local heterogeneity when choosing interventions and ensure continuous monitoring of trends.

Download Full-text

More than just a cut: a qualitative study of penile practices and their relationship to masculinity, sexuality and contagion and their implications for HIV prevention in Papua New Guinea

BMC International Health and Human Rights ◽

10.1186/1472-698x-12-10 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Angela Kelly ◽

Martha Kupul ◽

Richard Nake Trumb ◽

Herick Aeno ◽

James Neo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Papua New Guinea ◽

New Guinea

Download Full-text

Quality assessment of health facilities in rural Papua New Guinea

Health Policy and Planning ◽

10.1093/heapol/5.1.49 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 49-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

PAUL GARNER ◽

JANE THOMASON ◽

DAYL DONALDSON

Keyword(s):

Quality Assessment ◽

Papua New Guinea ◽

New Guinea ◽

Health Facilities

Download Full-text

Extrinsic and intrinsic factors impacting on the retention of older rural healthcare workers in the north Victorian public sector: a qualitative study

Rural and Remote Health ◽

10.22605/rrh2721 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Jeni Warburton ◽

Melissa Moore ◽

samantha clune ◽

Suzanne Hodgkin

Keyword(s):

Public Sector ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Rural Healthcare ◽

Intrinsic Factors ◽

The North ◽

Extrinsic And Intrinsic Factors

Download Full-text

Service Delivery by Health Facilities in Papua New Guinea

10.1596/29824 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Service Delivery ◽

Papua New Guinea ◽

New Guinea ◽

Health Facilities

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Community Health Workers’ Upskilling Training in Maternal and Newborn Care at Mount Hagen in Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Pacific Journal of Reproductive Health ◽

10.18313/pjrh.2018.908 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Jolly Kulimbua

Keyword(s):

Community Health ◽

Papua New Guinea ◽

Community Health Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Newborn Care ◽

New Guinea ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Care Providers ◽

Maternal And Newborn Care ◽

Maternal And Newborn

Background: Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Western highlands Province were given a 6-month CHW upskilling training to enable them to provide essential maternal-newborn care, do timely referral of high risk clients and refer emergencies to hospital. Five trainings were conducted over the five year period. Forty seven (47) CHWs were upskilled over that five year period. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of the CHW Upskilling Training during 2012 – 2016. Methods: A post-training assessment was conducted by direct observations of the CHWs and the Officer in Charges (OICs) at their workplaces. Assessors observed the application of knowledge and skills and determined if there were improvements in the health facilities. Purposeful discussions were carried out to elicit qualitative feedback from CHWs OICs of the health facilities. Findings: The findings were impressive. The organisation of health facilities improved with specific schedules made for priority reproductive and maternal health services. The recording of maternal and newborn care services indicated great improvement. The ANC, family planning and labour ward registers indicated the kinds of services provided including management of life-threatening conditions. Records show reduced maternal and newborn deaths. Records also show reduced unnecessary referrals. Conclusions: The CHW Up skilling Training Program is an effective intervention to improve reproductive health and maternal-newborn services in remote areas of Papua New Guinea, particularly where there are no midwives, or higher category health care providers. It has contributed to improved maternal-newborn survival. Recommendations: The evaluation recommends that the CHW Upskilling Training should reach more CHWs to fill in gaps in health facilities where there are no midwives or doctor. In Papua New Guinea, the CHWs Upskilling program in maternal and newborn care is recommended for all CHWs.

Download Full-text

Experiences of men’s involvement in antenatal education services in the rural Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea: a descriptive qualitative study.

Pacific Journal of Reproductive Health ◽

10.18313/pjrh.2018.901 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (7) ◽

pp. 346

Author(s):

Maviso McKenzie

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Papua New Guinea ◽

Information Dissemination ◽

New Guinea ◽

Maternal Knowledge ◽

Education Services ◽

Antenatal Education ◽

Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽

Health Education Services ◽

Men’S Involvement

Background: Appropriate antenatal education services that increase men’s involvement in pregnancy and childbirth is crucial for improving maternal and child health outcomes. However, in Papua New Guinea (PNG), men’s involvement in antenatal education services remains inadequate. This study aimed to describe experiences of men’s involvement in antenatal education services and identify factors that facilitate or restrict their involvement. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among 17 men who have attended antenatal care (ANC) and involved in antenatal education sessions with their wives. Semi-structured and face-to-face interviews were employed to obtain detailed descriptions of men’s experiences and their perception of antenatal health education services, including factors that influenced their involvement. Data is generated from interviews. The findings are informed by the thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes that emerged were: (1) perception of ANC as women’s domain, (2) knowledge of antenatal education services, and (3) accessing of antenatal education services. Factors influencing men’s involvement were: strict gender roles, being responsible for pregnancy and spousal communication. Lack of knowledge, dissatisfaction with antenatal services, and lack of capacity to involve men were other reasons further observed. Conclusion: This study found negative perceptions; poor maternal knowledge and socio-cultural norms, inadequate information dissemination and poor men-friendly services influenced men’s involvement. Suggestions to strengthen men’s involvement require gender-inclusive and culturally appropriate antenatal education programs.

Download Full-text