Determinants of Evidence Use by Frontline Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Staff in Selected Health Facilities in Ghana

Background The current paper examines the level of use of evidence and factors affecting the use of evidence by frontline maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) and reproductive and child health (RCH) staff in practice decisions in selected health facilities in Ghana. Methods Data was collected from 509 respondents drawn from 44 health facilities in three regions in Ghana. Means were used to examine the level of use of evidence, whiles cross-tabulations and Partial least Squares-based regression were used to examine factors that influence the use of evidence in practice decisions by frontline MNCH/RCH staff. Conclusion We argue that any effort to improve the use of evidence by frontline MNCH/RC staff in practice decisions should focus on improving attitudes and knowledge of staff as well as challenges related to the structure of the organisation. Given however that the score for attitude was relatively high, emphases should be on knowledge and organizational structure in particular, which had the lowest score even though it has the single most important effect on the use of evidence.

Global research priorities for COVID-19 in maternal, reproductive and child health: Results of an international survey

Background The World Health Organization’s “Coordinated Global Research Roadmap: 2019 Novel Coronavirus” outlined the need for research that focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and children. More than one year after the first reported case significant knowledge gaps remain, highlighting the need for a coordinated approach. To address this need, the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Working Group (MNCH WG) of the COVID-19 Clinical Research Coalition conducted an international survey to identify global research priorities for COVID-19 in maternal, reproductive and child health. Method This project was undertaken using a modified Delphi method. An electronic questionnaire was disseminated to clinicians and researchers in three different languages (English, French and Spanish) via MNCH WG affiliated networks. Respondents were asked to select the five most urgent research priorities among a list of 17 identified by the MNCH WG. Analysis of questionnaire data was undertaken to identify key similarities and differences among respondents according to questionnaire language, location and specialty. Following elimination of the seven lowest ranking priorities, the questionnaire was recirculated to the original pool of respondents. Thematic analysis of final questionnaire data was undertaken by the MNCH WG from which four priority research themes emerged. Results Questionnaire 1 was completed by 225 respondents from 29 countries. Questionnaire 2 was returned by 49 respondents. The four priority research themes which emerged from the analysis were 1) access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) the direct and 3) indirect effects of COVID-19 on pregnant and breastfeeding women and children and 4) the transmission of COVID-19 and protection from infection. Conclusion The results of these questionnaires indicated a high level of concordance among continents and specialties regarding priority research themes. This prioritized list of research uncertainties, developed to specifically highlight the most urgent clinical needs as perceived by healthcare professionals and researchers, could help funding organizations and researchers to answer the most pressing questions for clinicians and public health professionals during the pandemic. It is hoped that these identified priority research themes can help focus the discussion regarding the allocation of limited resources to enhance COVID-19 research in MNCH globally.

What is the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the RCH (Reproductive and Child Health) Programme in Rajasthan, because of nationwide lockdown (April 2020 to June 2020)?

Background:The proper, timely, adequate delivery of effective and high quality child health and reproductive (RCH) services is of greatest significance and utmost priority mainly because of situations erupting from current ongoing pandemic of covid-19 as well as other cofactors in state of Rajasthan, India. This significance and priority is particularly due to many factors such as huge as well as increasing population with limited qualified, skilled human resourcesObjective of study:The key objective is to find out effects of SARS-CoV-2/ Covid-19 pandemic on the Reproductive and Child Health Programme of Rajasthan in India over the 3 months after Lock down enforcement nationwide in March 2020.Settings & Design:Different indicators of RCH programme i.e. immunisation, maternal and child health, family planning) for Rajasthan were observed, studied, collected and compared with previous year 2019for the period of April/May/June -2019 and 2020. The percent increase and downfall is observed, calculated, presented, from the available data to find out the status of delivery of essential RCH health services. The need assessed and percent of achievement of assessed need is also compared and future achievement projected as per achievement. Materials & Methodology:To know the effect of pandemic era on RCH health programme of Rajasthan during the period from3 months after lock-down announced in the month of March 2020 i.e. April/May/June 2020 in Rajasthan the data observed, calculated and obtained from HMIS (Health Management Information System- of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India for RC Health programme, (Reproductive and Child Health).Result: The results of data analysis for RCH services, functioning in the state of Rajasthan during the month during the period from April to June 2020 (during the period from lockdown) as compared to 2019(no lockdown, for same duration suggest that the immunisation services were badly affected during the period from the lockdown period in 2020. It is possible that newborn children and the older ones have been not delivered proper immunisation services during the period from the lockdown as evident from the data observation-analysis.Conclusion:India and different states has launched several plans and strategies to deal with covid-19 pandemic. However this study report found that insufficient attention have been given to very essential services of RCH in Rajasthan as evident from the results of this study. The problems in the delivery of healthcare services should be dealt properly added with a proper update latest dynamic plan to carry on essential health delivery services even in pandemics and other situations of emergencies. The Rajasthan should develop an exclusive updated latest dynamic plan to deal with situations to guarantee delivery of very essential services such as RCH during the period from pandemics or any other natural calamities-emergencies.The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has disclosed the vulnerability of women and children’s and at the same time teaches us about importance of equity in healthcare. The children and women’s who are considered most vulnerable in emergencies and distress must have special supportive healthcare all the times especially during the period from pandemics-emergencies and other natural disasters.

What is the Impact ofCovid-19 Pandemic on the RCH (Reproductive and Child Health) Programme in Rajasthan,because of nationwide lockdown (April 2020 to June 2020)?

ABSTRACTBackground:The proper, timely, adequate delivery of effective and high qualitychild healthand reproductive (RCH) services is of greatest significance and utmost prioritymainly because of situations erupting from current ongoing pandemic of covid-19 as well as other cofactors in state of Rajasthan, India. This significance and priority is particularly due to many factors such as huge as well as increasing population with limited qualified, skilled human resourcesObjective of study: The keyobjectiveis to find out effects of SARS-CoV-2/ Covid-19 pandemic on the Reproductive and Child Health Programme of Rajasthan in India over the 3 months after Lock down enforcementnationwide in March 2020. Settings & Design:Different indicators of RCH programme i.e. immunisation, maternal and child health, family planning) for Rajasthan were observed, studied, collected and compared with previous year 2019for the period of April/May/June -2019 and 2020. The percent increase and downfall is observed, calculated, presented, from the available data to find out the status of delivery of essential RCH health services. The need assessed and percent of achievement of assessed need is also compared and future achievement projected as per achievement. Materials & Methodology: To know theeffect of pandemic era on RCH health programme of Rajasthan during the period from3 months after lock-down announced in the month of March 2020 i.e. April/May/June 2020 in Rajasthan the data observed, calculated and obtained from HMIS (Health Management Information System- of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India for RCHealth programme, (Reproductive and Child Health). Result: The results of data analysis for RCH services,functioning in the state of Rajasthan during the monthduring the period fromApril to June 2020 (during the period from lockdown) as compared to 2019(no lockdown, for same duration suggest that the immunisation services werebadly affected during the period from the lockdown period in 2020. It is possible that newborn children and the older ones have been not delivered proper immunisation servicesduring the period from the lockdown as evident from the data observation-analysis. Conclusion: India and different states has launched several plans and strategies to deal with covid-19 pandemic.However this study report found that insufficient attention have been given to very essential services of RCH in Rajasthanas evident from the results of this study. The problems in the delivery of healthcare services should be dealt properly added with a proper update latest dynamic plan to carry on essential health delivery services even in pandemics and other situations of emergencies. The Rajasthan should develop an exclusive updated latest dynamic plan to deal with situations to guarantee delivery of very essential services such as RCH during the period from pandemics or any other natural calamities-emergencies.The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has disclosed the vulnerability of women and children’s and at the same timeteaches usabout importance of equity in healthcare. The children and women’s who are considered most vulnerable in emergencies and distress must have special supportive healthcare all the times especially during the period from pandemics-emergencies and other natural disasters. Keywords- Health, Decrease, Pandemic, Services/service, covid-19, sars-cov-2,

Global research priorities for COVID-19 in maternal, reproductive and child health: results of an international survey

Background The World Health Organization′s ″Coordinated Global Research Roadmap: 2019 Novel Coronavirus″ outlined the need for research that focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and children. More than one year after the first reported case, significant knowledge gaps remain, highlighting the need for a coordinated approach. To address this need, the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Working Group (MNCH WG) of the COVID-19 Clinical Research Coalition conducted an international survey to identify global research priorities for COVID-19 in maternal, reproductive and child health. Method This project was undertaken using a modified Delphi method. An electronic questionnaire was disseminated to clinicians and researchers in three different languages (English, French and Spanish) via MNCH WG affiliated networks. Respondents were asked to select the five most urgent research priorities among a list of 17 identified by the MNCH WG. Analysis of questionnaire data was undertaken to identify key similarities and differences among respondents according to questionnaire language, location and specialty. Following elimination of the seven lowest ranking priorities, the questionnaire was recirculated to the original pool of respondents. Thematic analysis of final questionnaire data was undertaken by the MNCH WG from which four priority research themes emerged. Results Questionnaire 1 was completed by 225 respondents from 29 countries. Questionnaire 2 was returned by 49 respondents. The four priority research themes were 1) access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) the direct and 3) indirect effects of COVID-19 on pregnant and breastfeeding women and children and 4) the transmission of COVID-19 and protection from infection. Conclusion The results of these questionnaires indicated a high level of concordance among continents and specialties regarding priority research themes. This prioritized list of research uncertainties, developed to specifically highlight the most urgent clinical needs as perceived by healthcare professionals and researchers, could help funding organizations and researchers to answer the most pressing questions for clinicians and public health professionals during the pandemic. It is hoped that these identified priority research themes can help focus the discussion regarding the allocation of limited resources to enhance COVID-19 research in MNCH globally.

What Impact Have SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19 Pandemic on the Reproductive and Child Health Programme of Bihar in India over the 3 months after nationwide Lock down announcement in March 2020? How SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic era does influence RCH Programme? Immunisation? Maternal Health? Family Planning?

Background: The delivery of reproductive and child health services is of utmost importance and prime concern in India particularly populous states like Bihar with limited resources, poor infrastructure and huge demand on healthcare system. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had presented a challenge even for developed healthcare systems around the world. Objectives: The main aim of this research is to find out Impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the Reproductive and Child Health Programme of Bihar in India over the 3 months after Lock down imposition countrywide in March 2020.Settings & Design: Different indicators group of RCH programme (immunisation, maternal & child health, family planning) for state of Bihar were collected and compared from previous year. Materials & Methodology: Secondary data from HMIS of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Government of India for 2019 & 2020 were taken for analysing and understanding of impact of pandemic on RCH programme over 3 months after lock down viz. April/May/June 2020. The data obtained is analysed by using Microsoft Office software.Result: The analysis of secondary data obtained from HMIS of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare website for RCH programme of the state of Bihar shows that the lock down period & initial early phase of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have a negative impact over the delivery of health services as well as the indicators are also affected negatively. Besides the pandemic the state is also having lack of resources, manpower poor infrastructure as well as positive deviance at community level. These are the barriers in fact beside the epidemic. It seems that there is lack of proper plan to deal with such pandemic situation. Conclusion: The State of Bihar has enforced the epidemic disease act but it seems to be insufficient to give the desired results. The barriers of healthcare system and delivery of services should be rectified added with a proper dynamic plan to carry on usual health delivery services even in pandemics. The state of Bihar needs to develop an exclusive plan such as separate RCH cadre to tackle such situations.