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Kung'u JK, Ndiaye B, Ndedda C, Mamo G, Ndiaye MB, Pendame R, Neufeld L, Mwitari J, Desta HH, Diop M, Doudou M, De‐Regil LM. Design and implementation of a health systems strengthening approach to improve health and nutrition of pregnant women and newborns in Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger, and Senegal. Matern Child Nutr 2018; 14 Suppl 1:e12533. [PMID: 29493901 PMCID: PMC6865953 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Maternal and neonatal mortality are unacceptably high in developing countries. Essential nutrition interventions contribute to reducing this mortality burden, although nutrition is poorly integrated into health systems. Universal health coverage is an essential prerequisite to decreasing mortality indices. However, provision and utilization of nutrition and health services for pregnant women and their newborns are poor and the potential for improvement is limited where health systems are weak. The Community-Based Maternal and Neonatal Health and Nutrition project was established as a set of demonstration projects in 4 countries in Africa with varied health system contexts where there were barriers to safe maternal health care at individual, community and facility levels. We selected project designs based on the need, context, and policies under consideration. A theory driven approach to programme implementation and evaluation was used involving developing of contextual project logic models that linked inputs to address gaps in quality and uptake of antenatal care; essential nutrition actions in antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care; delivery with skilled and trained birth attendant; and postnatal care to outcomes related to improvements in maternal health service utilization and reduction in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Routine monitoring and impact evaluations were included in the design. The objective of this paper is to describe the rationale and methods used in setting up a multi-country study that aimed at designing the key maternal and neonatal health interventions and identifying indicators related to inputs, outcomes, and impact that were measured to track change associated with our interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline K. Kung'u
- Africa Regional Office ‐ Nutrition International (Formerly Micronutrient Initiative) ‐ Kenya
| | - Banda Ndiaye
- Africa Regional Office ‐ Nutrition International (Formerly Micronutrient Initiative) ‐ Kenya
| | | | - Girma Mamo
- Nutrition International ‐ Ethiopia Country Office
| | | | - Richard Pendame
- Africa Regional Office ‐ Nutrition International (Formerly Micronutrient Initiative) ‐ Kenya
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Hess SY, Ouédraogo CT, Bamba IF, Wessells KR, Keith N, Faye T, Ndiaye B, Doudou M, Nielsen J. Using formative research to promote antenatal care attendance and iron folic acid supplementation in Zinder, Niger. Matern Child Nutr 2017; 14:e12525. [PMID: 28924978 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In Niger, use of antenatal care (ANC) and iron folic acid (IFA) supplements is suboptimal. The objectives of this paper are as follows: (a) to conduct formative research to understand barriers and beliefs among pregnant women related to ANC, IFA supplementation, and pregnancy outcomes; (b) assess the quality of currently provided ANC services; (c) use the findings to guide the development of programmatic interventions to improve coverage of ANC services and IFA supplementation of pregnant women. Structured in-home interviews (n = 72) and focus groups (n = 4) were conducted with pregnant women in 4 randomly selected villages in rural Zinder. ANC consultations (n = 33) were observed in 5 randomly selected health centres, and exit interviews were conducted with all pregnant women and seven health agents following these observations. During workshops with stakeholders, results of the formative research were interpreted, and programmatic interventions were developed. In home interviews, 72% of women reported having attended at least one ANC visit. They also reported husbands (71%), mothers (40%), and friends (33%) supporting ANC attendance. Among those having attended ANC, only 65% reported taking IFA the day prior to the interview. Three of five health centres visited had IFA in stock. Health staff did not provide IFA supplements during 18 of 33 observed ANC consultations of which only 7 cases could be explained by the lack of IFA supplements in stock. Findings were used to design a 3-pronged intervention: (a) behaviour change communication activities in communities; (b) quality improvement activities in health centres to strengthen ANC; and (c) provision of key supplies required for ANC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Y Hess
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Césaire T Ouédraogo
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA.,Helen Keller International, Niamey, Niger
| | | | - K Ryan Wessells
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Nancy Keith
- Independent Consultant, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Banda Ndiaye
- Nutrition International, Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
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