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Nyondo-Mipando AL, Chirwa M, Salimu S, Kumitawa A, Chinkonde JR, Chimuna TJ, Dohlsten M, Chikwapulo B, Senbete M, Gohar F, Hailegebriel TD, Jackson D. Exploring and prioritising strategies for improving uptake of postnatal care services in Thyolo, Malawi: A qualitative study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002992. [PMID: 38446818 PMCID: PMC10917263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Although postnatal care services form a critical component of the cascade of care in maternal, newborn, and child health the uptake of these services has remained low worldwide. This study explored and prioritised the strategies for optimising the uptake of postnatal care (PNC) services in Malawi. A qualitative descriptive study followed by nominal group techniques was conducted at three health facilities in Malawi from July to December 2020 and in October 2021. We conducted focus group discussions among postnatal mothers, fathers, healthcare workers, elderly women, and grandmothers. We conducted in-depth interviews with midwives and key health managers. Nominal group techniques were used to prioritise the main strategies for the provision of PNC. The demand strategies include appointment date reminders, provision of free health passport books, community awareness campaigns, and involvement of men in the services. The supply strategies included training health providers, improving clinic operations: task-shifting and hours of operation, having infrastructure for the services, and linkage to other services. Having services delivered near end-user residences was a crosscutting strategy. Refresher training and improvement in the clinic operations especially on hours of operation, appointment date reminders, and linkage to care were the prioritised strategies. There is a need to use acceptable and contextualised strategies to optimise the uptake and delivery of postnatal care services. Educating the healthcare workers and the community on postnatal services is key to increasing the demand and supply of the services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alinane Linda Nyondo-Mipando
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Marumbo Chirwa
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Sangwani Salimu
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Andrew Kumitawa
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | - Martin Dohlsten
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Tedbabe D. Hailegebriel
- Health Section, Programme Division, UNICEF Headquarters, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Debra Jackson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Habte A, Tamene A, Tesfaye L. Towards a positive postnatal experience in Sub-Saharan African countries: the receipt of adequate services during the immediate postpartum period: a multilevel analysis. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1272888. [PMID: 38155886 PMCID: PMC10753759 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1272888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Existing studies in the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region have focused mainly on the frequency of postnatal visits, with little emphasis on the adequacy of care provided during visits. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the magnitude of receiving an adequate number of World Health Organization-recommended contents of care during the immediate postpartum visit, and its predictors in SSA countries. Methods The appended women file of the most recent (2016-2021) standardized Demographic and Health Survey report of eighteen Sub-Saharan African countries with a weighted sample of 56,673 women was used for the study. The influence of each predictor on the uptake of adequate postnatal care has been examined using multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression. Significant predictors were reported using the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results The pooled prevalence of adequate postnatal care service uptake was found to be 42.94% (95% CI: 34.14, 49.13). Living in the southern sub-region (aOR = 3.08 95% CI: 2.50, 3.80), institutional delivery (aOR = 3.15; 95% CI: 2.90, 3.43), early initiation of ANC (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.45, 2.09), quality of antenatal care (aOR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.42, 1.78), Caesarean delivery (aOR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.42, 1.78), autonomy in decision-making (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.39), high acceptance toward wife beating attitude (aOR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.94), and reading newspapers (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.56) were identified as predictors of receiving adequate postnatal services during the immediate postpartum period. Conclusion The findings revealed low coverage of adequate postnatal care service uptake in the region. The Federal Ministry of Health and healthcare managers in each country should coordinate their efforts to develop interventions that promote women's empowerment to enhance their autonomy in decision-making and to reduce attitudes towards wife beating. Healthcare providers ought to strive to provide skilled delivery services and early initiation of antenatal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aklilu Habte
- School of Public Health College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wachemo University, Hosanna, Ethiopia
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Blas MM, Reinders S, Alva A, Neuman M, Lange I, Huicho L, Ronsmans C. Effect of the Mamás del Río programme on essential newborn care: a three-year before-and-after outcome evaluation of a community-based, maternal and neonatal health intervention in the Peruvian Amazon. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2023; 28:100634. [PMID: 38076412 PMCID: PMC10701122 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Background Despite remarkable progress in maternal and neonatal health, regional inequalities persist in Peru. In rural areas of Amazonian Loreto, access to quality care is difficult, home births are frequent, and neonatal mortality is high. We conducted a prospective before-and-after study to assess the effect after implementation and over time of a community-based intervention on essential newborn care (ENC). Methods Mamás del Río consists of tablet-enhanced educational home visits by Community health workers (CHW) to pregnant women and mothers of newborns, with supportive training on ENC of traditional birth attendants and facility staff. The study area comprised 79 rural communities of three districts in Loreto. Primary outcomes were ENC practices in home births, secondary outcomes were ENC in facility births as well as healthcare seeking, measured at baseline before and at year 2 and year 3 after intervention implementation. Community censuses included questionnaires to women aged 15-49 years with a live birth. We calculated prevalence of outcomes at each time point and estimated adjusted prevalence differences (PD) between time points using post-estimation based on logistic regression. Findings Following implementation early 2019, 97% of communities had a trained CHW. At year 2 follow-up, 63% (322/530) of women received a CHW visit during pregnancy. Seven out of nine ENC indicators among home births improved, with largest adjusted prevalence differences in immediate skin-to-skin contact (50% [95% CI: 42-58], p < 0.0001), colostrum feeding (45% [35-54], p < 0.0001), and cord care (19% [10-28], p = 0.0001). Improvements were maintained at year 3, except for cord care. At year 2, among facility births only three ENC indicators improved, while more women gave birth in a facility. Sensitivity analyses showed ENC prevalence was similar before compared to after onset of Covid-19 lockdown. Interpretation ENC practices in home births improved consistently and changes were sustained over time, despite the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. A community-based approach for behaviour-change in home-based newborn care appears effective. Process evaluation of mechanisms will help to explain observed effects and understand transferability of findings. Funding Grand Challenges Canada and Peruvian National Council of Science and Technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magaly M. Blas
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Stefan Reinders
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Angela Alva
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Isabelle Lange
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Luis Huicho
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Materna e Infantil, Centro de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral y Sostenible, and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Carine Ronsmans
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Warren N, Gresh A, Mkhonta NR, Kazembe A, Engelbrecht S, Feraud J, Patel K, Adandogou-d'Almeida H, Marole P, Reynolds N, Johnson P. Pre-service midwifery education in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review. Nurse Educ Pract 2023; 71:103678. [PMID: 37413740 DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In response to a global call for more midwives, maternal health stakeholders have called for increased investment in midwifery pre-service education. Given the already long list of challenges and the increasing burden on health care systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to prioritize investment is acute, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. An important first step is to examine the current evidence. METHODS We conducted a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature about pre-service midwifery education in sub-Saharan Africa. A search of studies published between 2015 and 2021 in French or English was conducted using six databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and African Index Medicus). RESULTS The search yielded 3061 citations, of which 72 were included. Most were a mix of qualitative and quantitative cross-sectional, country-specific studies. Organized by pre-service educational domain, the literature reflected a misalignment between international standards for midwifery education and what schools and clinical sites and the larger administrative systems where they operate, reliably provide. Inadequate infrastructure, teaching capacity in school and clinical settings and clinical site environment were factors that commonly impede learning. Literature related to faculty development and deployment were limited. CONCLUSION Schools, faculty and clinical sites are overwhelmed yet recommendations by key stakeholders for change are substantive and complex. Efforts are needed to help schools map their current status by pre-service education domain and prioritize where scarce resources should be directed. These results can inform research and investments in pre-service midwifery education in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Warren
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Ashley Gresh
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | | | - Abigail Kazembe
- African Forum for Research and Education in Health, PMB, University Post Office, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | | | - Jenna Feraud
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Kalin Patel
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Heloise Adandogou-d'Almeida
- La Fédération des Associations des Sages-Femmes d'Afrique Francophone (FASFAF), 229 Rue Sagouda Tokoin Wuiti, Lome, Togo.
| | - Phelelo Marole
- Jhpiego, Plot 155, Unit 4 Kgale Mews, Baborone International Financial Park, Baorone, Botswana.
| | - Nancy Reynolds
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Peter Johnson
- Jhpiego, 1615 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
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Onambele L, Ortega-Leon W, Guillen-Aguinaga S, Forjaz MJ, Yoseph A, Guillen-Aguinaga L, Alas-Brun R, Arnedo-Pena A, Aguinaga-Ontoso I, Guillen-Grima F. Maternal Mortality in Africa: Regional Trends (2000-2017). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192013146. [PMID: 36293727 PMCID: PMC9602585 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND United Nations Sustainable Development Goals state that by 2030, the global maternal mortality rate (MMR) should be lower than 70 per 100,000 live births. MMR is still one of Africa's leading causes of death among women. The leading causes of maternal mortality in Africa are hemorrhage and eclampsia. This research aims to study regional trends in maternal mortality (MM) in Africa. METHODS We extracted data for maternal mortality rates per 100,000 births from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) databank from 2000 to 2017, 2017 being the last date available. Joinpoint regression was used to study the trends and estimate the annual percent change (APC). RESULTS Maternal mortality has decreased in Africa over the study period by an average APC of -3.0% (95% CI -2.9; -3,2%). All regions showed significant downward trends, with the greatest decreases in the South. Only the North African region is close to the United Nations' sustainable development goals for Maternal mortality. The remaining Sub-Saharan African regions are still far from achieving the goals. CONCLUSIONS Maternal mortality has decreased in Africa, especially in the South African region. The only region close to the United Nations' target is the North African region. The remaining Sub-Saharan African regions are still far from achieving the goals. The West African region needs more extraordinary efforts to achieve the goals of the United Nations. Policies should ensure that all pregnant women have antenatal visits and give birth in a health facility staffed by specialized personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Onambele
- School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaoundé 1110, Cameroon
| | - Wilfrido Ortega-Leon
- Epidemiology and Public Health Program, Department of Surgery, Medical and Social Sciences, University of Alcala de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Guillen-Aguinaga
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- San Juan Health Center, Primary Health Care, Navarra Health Service, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria João Forjaz
- National Epidemiology Centre, Carlos III Health Institute, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- REDISSEC and REDIAPP, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Amanuel Yoseph
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa P.O. Box 5, Ethiopia
| | | | - Rosa Alas-Brun
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alberto Arnedo-Pena
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Epidemiology Division, Public Health Center, 12003 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
- Public Health and Epidemiology (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ines Aguinaga-Ontoso
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Avda. de Baranain sn, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Francisco Guillen-Grima
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research Network, Physiopathology of Obesity and CIBER-OBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Paluku J, Kitambala E, Furaha CM, Bulu Bobina R, Habamungu P, Camara BS, Sidibe S, Banze Kyongolwa DF, Tripathi V, Delamou A. Integrating Client Tracker Tool Into Fistula Management: Experience From the Fistula Care Plus Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2017 to 2019. Front Public Health 2022; 10:902107. [PMID: 35757601 PMCID: PMC9218534 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.902107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to document the experience of integration and the contribution of the Client Tracker (CT) to female genital fistula (FGF) management and data quality in sites supported by the Fistula Care+ Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), from 2017 to 2019. It was a parallel mixed methods study using routine quantitative data and qualitative data from in-depth interviews with the project staff. Quantitative findings indicated that CT forms were present in the medical records of 63% of patients; of these, 38% were completely filled out, and 29% were correctly filled out. Qualitative findings suggested that the level of use of CT in the management of FGF was associated with staff familiarity with the CT, staff understanding of concepts in the CT forms, and the CT-related additional workload. The CT has mainly contributed to improving data quality and reporting, quality of care, follow-up of fistula patients, and self-supervision of management activities. A possible simplification of the CT and/or harmonization of its content with existing routine forms, coupled with adequate continuous training of staff on record-keeping, would further contribute to maximizing CT effectiveness and sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Bienvenu Salim Camara
- Africa Center of Excellence for Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control (CEA-PCMT), University Gamal Abdel Nasser, Conakry, Guinea.,Centre National de Formation et de Recherche en Santé Rurale de Maferinyah, Forécariah, Guinea
| | - Sidikiba Sidibe
- Africa Center of Excellence for Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control (CEA-PCMT), University Gamal Abdel Nasser, Conakry, Guinea
| | | | | | - Alexandre Delamou
- Africa Center of Excellence for Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control (CEA-PCMT), University Gamal Abdel Nasser, Conakry, Guinea.,Centre National de Formation et de Recherche en Santé Rurale de Maferinyah, Forécariah, Guinea
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