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Background:Evidence on effective ways of improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes is widely available. The challenge that most low-income countries grapple with is implementation at scale and sustainability. Objectives:The study aimed at improving access to quality maternal and neonatal health services in a sustainable manner by using a participatory action research approach. Methods: The  study consisted of a quasi-experimental design, with a participatory action research approach to implementation in three rural districts (Pallisa, Kibuku and Kamuli) in Eastern Uganda. The intervention had two main components; namely, community empowerment for comprehensive birth preparedness, and health provider and management capacity-building. We collected data using both quantitative and qualitative methods using household and facility-level structured surveys, record reviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. We purposively selected the participants for the qualitative data collection, while for the surveys we interviewed all eligible participants in the sampled households and health facilities. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data, while the difference in difference analysis was used to measure the effect of the intervention. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Conclusions:This study was implemented to generate evidence on how to increase access to quality maternal and newborn health services in a sustainable manner using a multisectoral participatory  approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In 2020, the New Zealand (NZ) Parliament voted to decriminalise abortion. Although NZ's abortion law formally opposes sex selective abortions, there is considerable complexity in the gender politics of 'choice' and 'agency' in multi-ethnic societies, and interpretations of reproductive rights for ethnic minority women and for the girl child, respectively. This paper explores these complexities through the perspectives of reproductive and maternity care practitioners who are situated at the interface of legal systems, health service provision, and delivery of culturally sensitive care. Thirteen practitioners were interviewed as part of this study. The analysis highlights strains in framings of 'reproductive choice' (underpinned by western liberal notions of rights) and 'gender equality' (abortion rights that acknowledge the complexity of cultural son-preference) for ethnic minority women. These tensions are played out in three aspects of the post-reform landscape: (a) everyday practice and accountability; (b) consumerism and choice; (c) custodianship and gender rights. The findings point to the limitations in operationalising choices for ethnic women in health systems wherein trust deficit prevails, and cultural dynamics render complex responses to abortion. They also highlight reconfigurations of client-expert relationships that may have implications for practitioners' abilities to advocate for ethnic women's rights against cultural influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Achieving a fair and equitable distribution of health in the population while progressing toward universal health coverage (UHC) is a key focus of health policy in Vietnam. This paper describes health barriers experienced by women (and children by inference) in Vietnam, and measures how UHC, with reference to maternal health services and child mortality rates, is affected by selected social determinants of health (SDH), termed 'barriers'. Methods: Our study uses a cross-sectional design with data from the 2011 Vietnam Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. The study sample includes 11,663 women, aged 15-49 years. Weighted frequency statistics are crosstabulated with socioeconomic characteristics of the population to describe the extent and distribution of health barriers experienced by disadvantaged women and children in Vietnam. A subset of women who had a live birth in the preceding two years (n = 1,383) was studied to assess the impact of barriers to UHC and health. Six multiple logistic regressions were run using three dependent variables in the previous two years: 1) antenatal care, 2) skilled birth attendants, and 3) child death in the previous 15 years. Independent predictor variables were: 1) low education (incomplete secondary education), 2) lack of access to one of four basic amenities. In a second set of regressions, a constructed composite barrier index replaced these variables. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to report regression results. Results: In Vietnam, about 54% of women aged 15-49 years in 2011, had low education or lacked access to one of four basic amenities. About 38% of poor rural women from ethnic minorities experienced both barriers, compared with less than 1% of rich urban women from the ethnic majority. Incomplete secondary education or lack of one of four basic amenities was a factor significantly associated with lower access to skilled birth attendants (OR =0.28, 95% CI: 0.14-0.55; OR =0.19, 95% CI: 0.05-0.80) and a higher risk of having had a child death in the previous two years (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.28-2.30; OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.20-2.10). Conclusions: Our study shows the need for accelerating education and infrastructure investments for ethnic minority communities living in rural areas so as to be able to contribute to equity-oriented progress toward UHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community participation can provide increased understanding and more effective implementation of strategies that seek to improve outcomes for women and newborns. There is limited knowledge on how participatory processes take place and how this affects the results of an intervention. Objective: This paper presents the results of two years of implementing (2013–2015) community groups for maternal health care in Magu District, Tanzania. Method: A total of 102 community groups were established, and 77 completed the four phases of the participatory learning and action cycle. The four phases included identification of problems during pregnancy and childbirth (phase 1), deciding on solutions and planning strategies (phase 2), implementation of strategies (phase 3) and evaluation of impact (phase 4). Community group meetings were facilitated by 15 trained facilitators and groups met monthly in their respective villages. Data was collected as an ongoing process from facilitator and meeting reports, through interviews with facilitators and local leaders and from focus group discussions with community group participants. Results: The majority of groups prioritized problems related to the availability of and accessibility to health services. The most commonly actioned solution was the provision of health education to the community. Almost all groups (95%) experienced a positive impact on the community as results of their actions, including increased maternal health knowledge and positive behaviour changes among health care workers. Facilitators were positive about the community groups, stating that they were grateful for the gained knowledge on maternal health, and positively regarded the involvement of men in community groups, which are traditionally women-only. Conclusion: The process of establishing and undertaking community groups in itself appeared to have a positive perceived impact on the community. However, sustained behaviour change, power dynamics and financial incentives need to be carefully considered during implementation and sustaining the community groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internally displaced women are underserved by health schemes and policies, even as they may face greater risk of violence and unplanned pregnancies, among other burdens. There are an estimated 450,000 internally displaced persons in India, but they are not formally recognised as a group. Displacement has been a common feature in India's northeast region. This paper examines reproductive and maternal health (RMH) care-seeking among Bru displaced women in India. The study employed qualitative methodology: four focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with 49 displaced Bru women aged 18–45 between June and July 2018; three follow-up interviews with FGD participants and five in-depth interviews with community health workers (Accredited Social Health Activists – ASHAs) in camps for Bru displaced people in the Indian state of Tripura. All interviewees gave written or verbal informed consent; discussions were conducted in the local dialect, recorded, and transcribed. Data were indexed deductively from a dataset coded using grounded approaches. Most women were unaware of many of the RMH services provided by health facilities; very few accessed such care. ASHAs had helped increase institutional deliveries over the years. Women were aware of temporary contraceptive methods as well as medical abortion, but lacked awareness of the full range of contraceptive options. Challenges in accessing RMH services included distance of facilities from camps, and multiple costs (for transport, medicines, and informal payments to facility staff). The study highlighted a need for comprehensive intervention to improve RMH knowledge, attitudes, and practices among displaced women and to reduce access barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have had a major impact on the organization of health services in Europe. Co-parents' experiences of not being allowed to fully participate during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period is poorly understood. We investigated how the non-birthing partner experienced becoming a parent during the pandemic. Methods: We applied a qualitative design. We recruited the participants from all part of the country by using snowball sampling. 18 individual interviews were conducted by using videotelephony software program/telephone. The transcripts were analysed using a six-step model for thematic analysis. Results: The non-birthing participants were not considered by the healthcare system to be equal partners in terms of their involvement in the process of becoming parents. Three themes were constructed from the interview analysis- deprivation of the opportunity of "doing their part" of the job; participation by proxy to enhance togetherness; and choosing between obedience or opposition to the restrictions. Conclusion: The non-birthing co-parents felt deprived of doing what they considered to be their most important job--namely, to support and comfort their partners during pregnancy and childbirth. The healthcare system's decision to exclude co-parents from being physically present thus requires further reflection and discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expanding access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is one of the key targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. The extent to which sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) targets will be achieved largely depends on how well they are integrated within Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiatives. This paper examines challenges and facilitators to the effective provision of three SRHR services (maternal health, gender-based violence (GBV) and safe abortion/post-abortion care) in Ghana. The analysis triangulates evidence from document review with in-depth qualitative stakeholder interviews and adopts the Donabedian framework in evaluating provision of these services. Critical among the challenges identified are inadequate funding, non-inclusion of some SRHR services including family planning and abortion/post-abortion services within the health benefits package and hidden charges for maternal services. Other issues are poor supervision, maldistribution of logistics and health personnel, fragmentation of support services for GBV victims across agencies, and socio-cultural and religious beliefs and practices affecting service delivery and utilisation. Facilitators that hold promise for effective SRH service delivery include stakeholder collaboration and support, health system structure that supports continuum of care, availability of data for monitoring progress and setting priorities, and an effective process for sharing lessons and accountability through frequent review meetings. We propose the development of a national master plan for SRHR integration within UHC initiatives in the country. Addressing the financial, logistical and health worker shortages and maldistribution will go a long way to propel Ghana's efforts to expand population coverage, service coverage and financial risk protection in accessing essential SRH services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in low-resource settings often depend on global standards and indicators to assess obstetric care, particularly skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care. This paper describes challenges in using these standards to assess obstetric services in the Kilombero Valley of Tanzania. A health facility survey and extensive participant observation showed existing services to be complicated and fluid, involving a wide array of skills, resources, and improvisations. Attempts to measure these services against established standards and indicators were not successful. Some aspects of care were over-valued while others were under-valued, with significant neglect of context and quality. This paper discusses the implications of these findings for ongoing maternal health care efforts in unique and complex settings, questioning the current reliance on generic (and often obscure) archetypes of obstetric care in policy and programming. It suggests that current indicators may be insufficient to assess services in low-resource settings, but not that these settings should settle for lower standards of care. In addition to global benchmarks, assessment approaches that emphasize quality of care and recognize available resources might better account for local realities, leading to more effective, more sustainable service delivery. Les activités réalisées actuellement pour réduire la mortalité et la morbidité maternelles dans les contextes à faibles ressources dépendent souvent des normes et indicateurs mondiaux pour évaluer les soins obstétricaux, en particulier le personnel qualifié présent lors de l'accouchement et les soins obstétricaux d'urgence. Cet article décrit les difficultés rencontrées pour utiliser ces normes dans la vallée de Kilombero en Tanzanie. Une enquête sur les centres de santé et une observation approfondie des participants ont montré que les services existants étaient compliqués et fluides, exigeant une large palette de compétences, de ressources et d'improvisation. Les tentatives de mesure de ces services par rapport aux normes et indicateurs établis ont échoué. Certains aspects des soins étaient surévalués, d'autres sous-évalués, alors que le contexte et la qualité étaient négligés. L'article examine les conséquences pour les activités de santé maternelle réalisées dans des environnements singuliers et complexes, et demande s'il est opportun de s'en remettre à des archétypes génériques (et souvent obscurs) de soins obstétricaux dans les politiques et les programmes. Il estime que les indicateurs actuels sont peut-être insuffisants pour évaluer les services dans les contextes à faibles ressources, mais ne suggère pas à ces contextes de se contenter de normes inférieures de soins. Outre les repères mondiaux, des méthodes d'évaluation qui soulignent la qualité des soins et tiennent compte des ressources disponibles sont plus adaptées aux réalités locales, permettant des services plus efficaces et durables. Los esfuerzos en curso por disminuir las tasas de mortalidad y morbilidad maternas en ámbitos de bajos recursos a menudo dependen de normas e indicadores internacionales para evaluar los cuidados obstétricos, particularmente la atención calificada durante el parto y los cuidados obstétricos de emergencia. En este artículo se describen los retos en utilizar estas normas para evaluar los servicios obstétricos en el Valle Kilombero de Tanzania. Mediante una encuesta realizada en una unidad de salud y extensa observación participante se mostró que los servicios son complicados e inciertos, ya que requieren una gran variedad de habilidades, recursos e improvisación. Los intentos por comparar estos servicios con las normas y los indicadores establecidos fracasaron. Algunos aspectos de la atención fueron valorados en exceso mientras que otros no fueron valorados lo suficiente, y se hizo caso omiso del contexto y la calidad. En este artículo se analizan las implicaciones de estos hallazgos para los esfuerzos continuos en salud maternal en ámbitos únicos y complejos, y se cuestiona la dependencia actual de arquetipos genéricos (y a menudo pocos conocidos) de los cuidados obstétricos en políticas y programación. Indica que los indicadores actuales quizás sean insuficientes para evaluar los servicios en ámbitos de bajos recursos, pero no que estos ámbitos deben conformarse con niveles más bajos de atención. Además de indicadores internacionales, diagnósticos que hagan hincapié en la calidad de la atención y reconozcan los recursos disponibles podrían explicar mejor las realidades locales, lo cual facilitaría una prestación de servicios más eficaz y más sostenible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The caste system is a complex social stratification system which has been abolished, but remains deeply ingrained in India. Scheduled Caste (SC) women are one of the historically deprived groups, as reflected in poor maternal health outcomes and low utilisation of maternal healthcare services. Key government schemes introduced in 2005 mean healthcare-associated costs should now be far less of a deterrent. This paper examines the factors contributing to this low use of maternal health services by investigating the perceptions, health-seeking behaviours and access of SC women to maternal healthcare services in Bihar, India. Eighteen in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with SC women in Bihar. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis and presented using the AAAQ Toolbox. Main facilitating factors included the introduction of accredited social health activists (ASHAs), free maternal health services, the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), and changes in the cultural acceptability of institutional delivery. Main barriers included inadequate ASHA coverage, poor information access, transport costs and unauthorised charges to SC women from healthcare staff. SC women in Bihar may be inequitably served by maternal health services, and in some cases may face specific discrimination. Recommendations to improve SC service utilisation include research into the improvement of postnatal care, reducing unauthorised payments to healthcare staff and improvements to the ASHA programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mistreatment of women during childbirth at health facilities violates their human rights and autonomy and may be associated with preventable maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. In this paper, we explore women’s perspectives on mistreatment during facility-based childbirth as part of a bigger World Health Organization (WHO) multi-country study for developing consensus definitions, and validating indicators and tools for measuring the burden of the phenomenon. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were used to explore experiences of mistreatment from women who have ever given birth in a health facility in Koforidua and Nsawam, Ghana. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematic analysis conducted. A total of 39 IDIs and 10 FGDs involving 110 women in total were conducted. The major types of mistreatment identified were: verbal abuse (shouting, insults, and derogatory remarks), physical abuse (pinching, slapping) and abandonment and lack of support. Mistreatment was commonly experienced during the second stage of labour, especially amongst adolescents. Inability to push well during the second stage, disobedience to instructions from birth attendants, and not bringing prescribed items for childbirth (mama kit) often preceded mistreatment. Most women indicated that slapping and pinching were acceptable means to “correct” disobedient behaviours and encourage pushing. Women may avoid giving birth in health facilities in the future because of their own experiences of mistreatment, or hearing about another woman’s experience of mistreatment. Consensus definitions, validated indicators and tools for measuring mistreatment are needed to measure prevalence and identify drivers and potential entry points to minimise the phenomenon and improve respectful care during childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Saving groups are increasingly being used to save in many developing countries. However, there is limited literature about how they can be exploited to improve maternal and newborn health. Objectives: This paper describes saving practices, factors that encourage and constrain saving with saving groups, and lessons learnt while supporting communities to save through saving groups. Methods: This qualitative study was done in three districts in Eastern Uganda. Saving groups were identified and provided with support to enhance members’ access to maternal and newborn health. Fifteen focus group discussions (FGDs) and 18 key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to elicit members’ views about saving practices. Document review was undertaken to identify key lessons for supporting saving groups. Qualitative data are presented thematically. Results: Awareness of the importance of saving, safe custody of money saved, flexible saving arrangements and easy access to loans for personal needs including transport during obstetric emergencies increased willingness to save with saving groups. Saving groups therefore provided a safety net for the poor during emergencies. Poor management of saving groups and detrimental economic practices like gambling constrained saving. Efficient running of saving groups requires that they have a clear management structure, which is legally registered with relevant authorities and that it is governed by a constitution. Conclusions: Saving groups were considered a useful form of saving that enabled easy acess to cash for birth preparedness and transportation during emergencies. They are like ‘a sprouting bud that needs to be nurtured rather than uprooted’, as they appear to have the potential to act as a safety net for poor communities that have no health insurance. Local governments should therefore strengthen the management capacity of saving groups so as to ensure their efficient running through partnerships with non-governmental organizations that can provide support to such groups. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: There is increasing demand for trainers to shift from traditional didactic training to innovative approaches that are more results-oriented. Mentorship is one such approach that could bridge the clinical knowledge gap among health workers. Objectives: This paper describes the experiences of an attempt to improve health-worker performance in maternal and newborn health in three rural districts through a mentoring process using the cascade model. The paper further highlights achievements and lessons learnt during implementation of the cascade model. Methods: The cascade model started with initial training of health workers from three districts of Pallisa, Kibuku and Kamuli from where potential local mentors were selected for further training and mentorship by central mentors. These local mentors then went on to conduct mentorship visits supported by the external mentors. The mentorship process concentrated on partograph use, newborn resuscitation, prevention and management of Post-Partum Haemorrhage (PPH), including active management of third stage of labour, preeclampsia management and management of the sick newborn. Data for this paper was obtained from key informant interviews with district-level managers and local mentors. Results: Mentorship improved several aspects of health-care delivery, ranging from improved competencies and responsiveness to emergencies and health-worker professionalism. In addition, due to better district leadership for Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH), there were improved supplies/medicine availability, team work and innovative local problem-solving approaches. Health workers were ultimately empowered to perform better. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that it is possible to improve the competencies of frontline health workers through performance enhancement for MNH services using locally built capacity in clinical mentorship for Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC). The cascade mentoring process needed strong external mentorship support at the start to ensure improved capacity among local mentors to provide mentorship among local district staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harnessing of private sector resources could play an important role in efforts to promote universal access to safe obstetric care including caesarean delivery in low- and middle-income countries especially in rural contexts but any such attempt would need to ensure that the care provided is appropriate and patterns of inappropriate care, such as high caesarean delivery rates, are not reproduced for the entire population. To examine the contracting arrangements for using private general practitioners to provide caesarean delivery services in rural district hospitals in South Africa. We utilised a mixed-method study design to examine the contracting models adopted by five rural district hospitals in the Western Cape, South Africa. Between April 2021 and March 2022, we collected routine data from delivery and theatre registers to capture the profile of deliveries and utilisation of contracted private GPs. We also conducted 23 semi-structured qualitative interviews with key stakeholders to explore perceptions of the contracting arrangements. All five hospitals varied in the level of use of private general practitioners and the contracting models (three private in-sourcing models – via locum agencies, sessional contracts, and tender contracts) used to engage them. Qualitative interviews revealed insights related to the need for flexibility in the use of contractual models to meet local contextual needs, cost implications and administrative burden. Structured appropriately, private public partnerships can fill important gaps in human resources in rural district hospitals. Policy makers should look to developing a 'contracting framework' which requires compliance with a set of underlying principles but allows for flexibility in developing context specific contracting arrangements. These underlying principles should include a 'risk' based delivery model, adherence to public sector- evidence-based protocols, time-based rather than per delivery/type of delivery remuneration models, group liability arrangements, and processes to monitor outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization recommends the implementation of maternity waiting homes (MWH) to reduce delays in access to obstetric care, particularly for high-risk pregnancies and mothers living far from health facilities, and as a result, several countries have rolled out MWHs. However, Rwanda has not implemented this recommendation on a large scale. There is only one MWH in the country, hence a gap in knowledge regarding the potential utilisation and benefits of MWHs. To explore providers' and clients' perspectives on facilitators and barriers to the use of MWH in rural Rwanda. We conducted a qualitative study to explore health providers' and clients' perspectives on facilitators and barriers to the use of MWH in Rwanda, between December 2020 and January 2021. We used key informant interviews and focus group discussions to collect data. Data were analysed using NVivo qualitative analysis software version 11. Facilitators included perceptions that the MWH offered either a peaceful and home-like environment, good-quality services, or timely obstetric services, and was associated with good maternal and neonatal outcomes. Barriers included limited awareness of the MWH among pregnant women, fear of health providers to operate the MWH at full capacity, women's lack of autonomy, uncertainty over funding for the MWH, and perceived high user fees. The Ruli MWH offers a peaceful environment for pregnant women while providing quality and timely obstetric care, resulting in positive maternal and neonatal outcomes for women. However, its existence and benefits are not widely known, and its use is limited due to inadequate resources. There is a need for increased awareness of the MWH among healthcare providers and the community, and lessons from this MWH could inform the scale up of MWHs in Rwanda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Navigating a health system which differs considerably from one's own can be a challenging process. Navigating this in seeking maternal health care can be additionally daunting. This article explores how immigrant women from diverse countries and ethnic backgrounds experienced and navigated the Norwegian maternal health service during pregnancy and childbirth. Eleven semi-structured interviews collected between 2019 to 2020 and analysed thematically informed this analysis. Principles of universalism underpinning all social and health policy in Norway, expect equality of service provision and access. These principles result in less individual choice. The women in this study found these contrary to their expectations of care but responded differently, with some experiencing the health provision as liberating while others distrusted that they were receiving the best care. A focus of concern was the expectation of more medicalized services. While some of these women used their own resources to circumvent the Norwegian health provisions, the implications for the health system extend beyond these women's experiences. The analysis suggests a need to encourage those whose expectations of care differ to build trust in institutions providing care. This article contributes to knowledge on the implications of diversity on Norway's universal health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In support of maternal health, disease-specific and target-oriented global policy initiatives, such as in Millennium Development Goal 5, have led to a prioritisation of narrow indicators at the expense of more comprehensive approaches. In line with global policy, Nicaragua has made skilled attendants and institutionalised delivery central to its efforts to achieving MDG5 on maternal health. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in Nicaragua, involving participant observation and interviews with hospital and community health workers, and women and their families, this paper critically discusses how target-oriented maternal health strategies were manifested in local realities. It shows that Nicaragua's brigadistas (community health workers) and parteras (traditional birth attendants) have been driven to narrowing their own roles to identifying pregnant women and advocating that they have an institutional delivery as one their most important tasks, making them agents of MDG 5 target achievement. This has engendered fear among brigadistas and parteras of being held individually responsible in the event of a maternal death, creating dissatisfaction with their role and reducing their motivation. While intended to improve maternal health, the pressure to reach targets has unintended negative implications for the relationship between women, the local volunteers and the formal health system, which needs to be addressed. À l'appui de la santé maternelle, des initiatives politiques internationales spécifiques à une maladie et axées sur des cibles, comme l'OMD 5, ont conduit à donner la priorité à des indicateurs étroits aux dépens d'approches plus globales. Conformément à la politique mondiale, le Nicaragua a mis les accoucheuses qualifiées et les naissances en institution au centre de ses activités pour réaliser l'OMD 5 sur la santé maternelle. Se fondant sur le travail ethnographique mené sur le terrain au Nicaragua, avec observation des participants et entretiens avec des agents de santé communautaires et hospitaliers, ainsi que des femmes et leur famille, cet article examine de manière critique comment les stratégies de santé maternelle axées sur les cibles se sont concrétisées dans les réalités locales. Il montre que les brigadistas (agents de santé communautaires) et les parteras (accoucheuses traditionnelles) du Nicaragua ont été amenés à restreindre leur rôle et à considérer que l'une de leurs principales tâches était d'identifier les femmes enceintes et de les encourager à accoucher en maternité, en faisant des agents de la réalisation de l'OMD 5. Cette évolution a engendré chez eux la crainte d'être tenus individuellement pour responsables en cas de décès maternel, ce qui les a rendus insatisfaits de leur rôle et a sapé leur motivation. Alors qu'elle est destinée à améliorer la santé maternelle, la pression pour parvenir aux objectifs a des conséquences négatives inattendues sur les relations entre les femmes, les bénévoles locaux et le système de santé officiel, qu'il convient de considérer. Por apoyar la salud materna, las iniciativas de políticas mundiales dirigidas a enfermedades y metas específicas, como el Objetivo de Desarrollo del Milenio 5, han llevado a la priorización de indicadores limitados a expensas de enfoques más integrales. En línea con las políticas internacionales, Nicaragua ha determinado que asistentes calificados y el parto institucionalizado son esenciales para sus esfuerzos por lograr el ODM 5 respecto a la salud materna. En este artículo, basado en el trabajo de campo etnográfico en Nicaragua, que consistió en observación participativa y entrevistas con personal hospitalario, trabajadores en salud comunitaria, mujeres y sus familiares, se trata con ojo crítico cómo las estrategias de salud materna orientadas hacia metas se manifestaron en realidades locales. Se muestra que los brigadistas (trabajadores en salud comunitaria) y las parteras de Nicaragua se han visto obligados a limitar sus propias funciones a identificar a mujeres embarazadas y a reconocer el parto institucional como una de sus tareas más importantes, por lo cual son agentes para lograr el ODM 5. Por ello, los brigadistas y las parteras temen que se les impute la responsabilidad de una defunción materna, lo cual ha creado descontento con su función y disminuido su motivación. Aunque su intención es mejorar la salud materna, la presión por alcanzar metas tiene implicaciones negativas no deseadas en cuanto a la relación entre las mujeres, voluntarios locales y el sistema de salud oficial, que deben ser abordadas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preventable maternal and newborn deaths can be averted through simple evidence-based interventions, such as the use of community health workers (CHWs), also known in Uganda as village health teams. However, the CHW strategy faces implementation challenges regarding training packages, supervision, and motivation. Objectives: This paper explores knowledge levels of CHWs, describes the coverage of home visits, and shares lessons learnt from setting up and implementing the CHW strategy. Methods: The CHWs were trained to conduct four home visits: two during pregnancy and two after delivery. The aim of the visits was to promote birth preparedness and utilization of maternal and newborn health (MNH) services. Mixed methods of data collection were employed. Quantitative data were analyzed using Stata version 13.0 to determine the level and predictors of CHW knowledge of MNH. Qualitative data from 10 key informants and 15 CHW interviews were thematically analyzed to assess the implementation experiences. Results: CHWs’ knowledge of MNH improved from 41.3% to 77.4% after training, and to 79.9% 1 year post-training. However, knowledge of newborn danger signs declined from 85.5% after training to 58.9% 1 year later. The main predictors of CHW knowledge were age (≥ 35 years) and post-primary level of education. The level of coverage of at least one CHW visit to pregnant and newly delivered mothers was 57.3%. Notably, CHW reports complemented the facility-based health information. CHWs formed associations, which improved teamwork, reporting, and general performance, and thus maintained low dropout rates at 3.6%. Challenges included dissatisfaction with the quarterly transport refund of 6 USD and lack of means of transportation such as bicycles. Conclusions: CHWs are an important resource in community-based health information and improving demand for MNH services. However, the CHW training and supervision models require strengthening for improved performance. Local solutions regarding CHW motivation are necessary for sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The move towards robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) has been increasing in global health, motivated by both an accountability agenda and to increase learning from M&E activities. Many international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receive funding from one or more large institutional donors. To understand NGOs' perspective on their own role in terms of accountability to both donors and the populations they serve. We conducted a series of in-depth interviews with M&E staff in 11 NGOs with projects related to maternal and child health to better understand how M&E is being implemented in these organizations. We then examined the data based on a priori identified themes. We found that despite flexibility from some donors, rigid reporting structures remain a barrier for NGOs to fully communicate the impact of their projects. While NGOs do utilize M&E findings, their use is limited by low staff capacity. The primary audience for the results remains the donor agency, and the primary motivation for M&E remains donor reporting. Reporting remains a burdensome affair, with ongoing limitations around streamlining results for donors. To reduce the burden of reporting for individual projects, the participants in our study suggested placing greater emphasis on process evaluations rather than impact evaluations. Participants also suggested increased data sharing between organizations working in the same regions and making better use of secondary data sources; in both cases to reduce the need for primary data collection. We carried out this work to advance the conversation on how NGOs currently manage their M&E – a conversation which should involve NGOs, donors, local health system actors, and the communities with whom they work. More flexibility from donors, increased use of technology, and more transparency on if and how data is being used would help NGOs with their M&E process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Uganda, the uptake of maternal health services is very low, with only 41.1% of pregnant adolescent girls attending the eight antenatal visits that are recommended by the World Health Organisation. Uptake of maternal health services is essential in reducing the current level of adolescent pregnancies as well as its adverse effects on adolescent mothers and their babies, such as preterm deliveries, prolonged labour, death during pregnancy, and childbirth. No previous study has described pregnant adolescents' experiences with maternal health services in Uganda. This study aimed to describe the barriers and strategies needed to improve maternal health services among pregnant adolescents in Uganda. Data were collected in the Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre in Uganda through individual interviews involving 31 pregnant adolescents. The transcribed interviews were inductively analysed through content analysis. The pregnant adolescents described difficulty in reaching, as well as lack of financial support to visit, the Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre, which is a clinic providing youth friendly services. Feelings of being discriminated against and disrespected by health workers, and lack of privacy when receiving health services was major barriers that hindered their access to maternal health services. Pregnant adolescents' access to these services can be enhanced by improving health workers' working conditions, accelerating community and health worker awareness on ways to mitigate these barriers, and developing policies that encourage men's involvement in maternal health services. Adolescents in Uganda face considerable barriers to accessing improved and quality maternal health services. To mitigate these barriers, according to the adolescents, considerable efforts are required to tackle health workers' working conditions and sensitise the community on the importance of, as well as securing the availability of, maternal health services for pregnant adolescents. Future research should focus on pregnant adolescents who receive family support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a qualitative study conducted in 2009 of provider and patient perceptions of primary level reproductive health services provided by commune health stations (CHSs), and the implications for Viet Nam's 2011–2020 National Strategy for Reproductive Health Care. In the three provinces of Thai Nguyen, Thua Thien Hue, and Vinh Long, we interviewed the heads of CHSs, held focus group discussions with midwives and women patients, and observed facilities. Half the 30 CHSs visited were in poor physical condition; the rest were newly renovated. However, the model of service delivery was largely unchanged from ten years before. Many appeared to fall short in meeting patient expectations in terms of modern medical equipment and technology, range of drug supplies, and levels of staff expertise. As a result, many women were turning to private doctors and public hospitals, at least in urban areas, or seeking medication from pharmacies. To make CHS clinics sustainable, promotion of access to reproductive health services should be undertaken concurrently with quality improvement. A responsive payment scheme must also be developed to generate revenues. Efforts should be made to reduce the unnecessary use of more costly services from private clinics and higher level public facilities. Cet article présente une étude qualitative réalisée en 2009 sur les perceptions chez les prestataires et les patients des services de santé génésique de niveau primaire assurés par les centres de santé communaux (CSC) et leurs conséquences pour la Stratégie nationale de soins de santé génésique 2011–2020 du Viet Nam. Dans les trois provinces de Thai Nguyen, Thua Thien Hue et Vinh Long, nous avons interrogé les chefs des CSC, organisé des discussions par groupe d'intérêt avec des sages–femmes et des patientes, et observé les installations. La moitié des 30 CSC visités étaient en mauvais état ; les autres venaient d'être rénovés. Néanmoins, lemodèle de prestation de services n'avait presque pas changé depuis dix ans. Beaucoup de CSC ne semblaient pas répondre aux attentes des patientes du point de vue de la modernité de l'équipement médical et de la technologie, du choix de médicaments disponibles et du niveau de compétence du personnel. Beaucoup de femmes s'adressaient donc à des médecins privés et des hôpitaux publics, au moins dans les zones urbaines, ou demandaient des médicaments dans les pharmacies. Pour que les CSC deviennent viables, la promotion de l'accès aux services de santé génésique doit être entreprise conjointement avec l'amélioration de la qualité. Un plan de paiement réactif doit aussi être mis au point pour créer des recettes. Il faut s'efforcer de réduire le recours inutile aux services coûteux de médecins et de centres privés ou d'installations publiques de niveau supérieur. En este artículo se presenta un estudio cualitativo realizado en 2009 de las percepciones del personal de salud y pacientes en cuanto a los servicios de salud reproductiva proporcionados en el primer nivel de atención por estaciones de salud comunitarias (CHS por sus siglas en inglés) y las implicaciones para la Estrategia Nacional de Servicios de Salud Reproductiva en Vietnam, del 2011 al 2020. En las tres provincias de Thai Nguyen, Thua Thien Hue y Vinh Long, entrevistamos la dirección de las CHS, realizamos discusiones en grupos focales con parteras profesionales y mujeres pacientes y observamos las unidades de salud. La mitad de las 30 CHS visitadas se encontraban en malas condiciones físicas; el resto había sido renovado recientemente. Sin embargo, hubo muy pocos cambios en el modelo de prestación de servicios creado diez años atrás. En muchas de las CHS hubo considerable insatisfacción por parte de las pacientes en cuanto al equipo médico moderno y la tecnología, la variedad de medicamentos y los niveles de conocimientos y experiencia del personal. Por consiguiente, muchas mujeres estaban acudiendo a médicos particulares y hospitales públicos, por lo menos en las zonas urbanas, o buscando medicamentos en las farmacias. Para lograr la sostenibilidad de las CHS, se debe promover el acceso a los servicios de salud reproductiva a la vez que se mejora la calidad. Además, se debe elaborar un esquema de pago receptivo para generar ingresos y se deben realizar esfuerzos por reducir el uso innecesario de servicios costosos proporcionados por médicos y clínicas particulares y unidades públicas de nivel superior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The private health sector in India is generally unregulated. Maharashtra is among the few states which require registration of private hospitals. This paper reports on a study of standards of care in small, private hospitals (less than 30 beds) in Maharashtra state, India, with a focus on maternity care, based on interviews with the hospitals' owners or senior staff, and observation. In the absence of reliable information on the number of private hospitals in the state, a physical listing was carried out in 11 districts and an estimate drawn up; 10% of hospitals found in each location were included in the study sample. We found poor standards of care in many cases, and few or no qualified nurses or a duty medical officer in attendance. Of the 261 hospitals visited, 146 provided maternity services yet 137 did not have a qualified midwife, and though most claimed they provided emergency care, including caesarean section, only three had a blood bank and eight had an ambulance. Government plans to promote public–private partnerships with such hospitals, including for maternity services, create concern, given our findings. The need to enforce existing regulations and collect information on health outcomes and quality of care before the state involves these hospitals further in provision of maternity care is called for. Le secteur privé est en général non réglementé en Inde. Maharashtra est l'un des rares États qui exigent l'agrément des hôpitaux privés. Cet article concerne une étude des normes de soins dans des petits hôpitaux privés (moins de 30 lits) dans l'État de Maharashtra, Inde, en particulier les soins obstétricaux, sur la base d'entretiens avec les propriétaires ou la direction de l'hôpital, et d'observations. En l'absence d'informations fiables sur le nombre d'hôpitaux privés dans l'État, une liste a été dressée dans 11 districts et une estimation a été établie ; 10% des hôpitaux recensés dans chaque site ont été inclus dans l'échantillon de l'étude. Dans beaucoup de cas, nous avons constaté des normes de soins médiocres, et peu ou pas d'infirmières qualifiées ni de médecin de garde présent. Des 261 hôpitaux visités, 146 assuraient des services de maternité, pourtant 137 n'avaient pas de sage-femme qualifiée, et même si la plupart affirmaient pratiquer des soins d'urgence, y compris des césariennes, trois seulement disposaient d'une banque du sang et huit d'une ambulance. Compte tenu de nos conclusions, la volonté du Gouvernement de promouvoir les partenariats publics-privés avec ces hôpitaux, notamment pour les services de maternité, est préoccupante. Il est nécessaire de faire appliquer la réglementation en vigueur et de recueillir des informations relatives aux effets sur la santé et à la qualité des soins avant que l'État n'implique davantage ces hôpitaux dans les soins obstétricaux. En India, el sector salud privado por lo general no es regulado. Maharashtra es uno de los pocos estados que requieren registro de hospitales privados. Este artículo informa sobre un estudio de las normas de asistencia en hospitales privados pequeños (menos de 30 camas), en el estado de Maharashtra, India, con un enfoque en la atención obstétrica, basado en entrevistas con los propietarios de los hospitales o personal de alto nivel, y en observación. En la ausencia de información fidedigna sobre el número de hospitales privados en el estado, se realizó un listado físico en 11 distritos y se calculó el número aproximado. En la muestra del estudio se incluyó el 10% de los hospitales encontrados en cada lugar. En muchos casos, se encontró calidad de atención deficiente y ninguna o pocas enfermeras calificadas o un funcionario médico de turno presente. De los 261 hospitales visitados, 146 ofrecían servicios obstétricos, pero 137 no tenían a una partera profesional calificada. Aunque la mayoría afirmaba ofrecer cuidados de emergencia, incluso cesáreas, sólo tres tenían un banco de sangre y ocho tenían ambulancia. En vista de nuestros hallazgos, los planes gubernamentales de promover alianzas entre los sectores público y privado con estos hospitales, incluso para servicios obstétricos, son preocupantes. Aún es necesario velar por el cumplimiento de los reglamentos en vigor y recopilar información sobre los resultados en salud y la calidad de la atención antes de que el estado implique aun más a estos hospitales en la prestación de servicios obstétricos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of maternal deaths occur during delivery and the immediate postnatal period as a result of delays in seeking care, failure to reach health institutions, and receiving inappropriate health care. In developing countries, delayed access to timely healthcare contributes to high maternal mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to assess the delays during emergency obstetric care and associated factors with delays during emergency obstetric care. A cross-sectional study design was conducted. We chose five hospitals at random in the South Gondar zone, Ethiopia. Face-to-face Interviews were conducted with 459 participants using a systematic sampling technique. For this analysis, bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression models were used. The Adjusted Odds Ratio was used to determine the statistical association with delays during emergency obstetric care at p-value <0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. The proportion of delays during emergency obstetric care were found to be 59.7% in this study. The respondents' mean age was 27.23 years old, with a standard error of 5.67. Pregnant mothers living in the rural areas (AOR: 4.1, 95%, CI: 2.36 to 6.25), no ANC visit (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.32 to 3.18), uneducated women (AOR: 4.6, 95% CI: 2.45 to 8.59) and referral to a higher level of care (AOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.60 to 4.44), were all significantly associated with delay. Delay during emergency obstetric care was found to be 59.7 percent. Rural residency, absence of ANC visit, uneducated mothers, and referred mothers from one level to the next level of care were factors that contributed to delays in emergency obstetric care in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pursuit of health equity is a priority in Ethiopia, especially with regards to maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). To date, there has been little characterization of the 'problem' of health inequity, and the normative assumptions implicit in the representation of the problem. Yet, such insights have implications for shaping the framing, incentivization, and implementation of health policies and their wider impact. Objective: In this article, we characterize how health (in)equity is represented as a policy issue, how this representation came about, and the underlying assumptions. Methods: We draw from Bacchi's 'what is the problem represented to be' approach to explore how national-level actors in the health sector constitute the problem. The data for our analysis encompass 23 key informant interviews with national health sector actors working in leadership positions on MNCH in Ethiopia, and six policy documents. Findings were derived from thematic and content analysis. Results: Health inequity is a normalized and inevitable concern that is regarded as actionable (can be altered) but not fully resolvable (can never be fully achieved). Operationally, health equity is viewed as a technocratic matter, reflected in the widespread use of metrics to motivate and measure progress. These representations are shaped by Ethiopia's rapid expansion of health services into rural areas during the 2000s leading to the positive international attention and funding the country received for improved MNCH indicators. Expanding the coverage and efficiency of health service provision, especially in rural areas, is associated with economic productivity. Conclusion: The metrication of health equity may detract from the fairness, justice, and morality underpinnings of the concept. The findings of this study point to the implications of global pressures in terms of maximizing health investments, and call into question how social, political, and economic determinants of health are addressed through broader development agendas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing child mortality is a key global health challenge. We examined reasons for greater or lesser success in meeting under-five mortality rate reductions, i.e. Millennium Development Goal #4, between 1990 and 2015 in Sub-Saharan Africa where child mortality remains high. We first examined factors associated with child mortality from all World Health Organization African Region nations during the Millennium Development Goal period. This analysis was followed by case studies of the facilitators and barriers to Millennium Development Goal #4 in four countries – Kenya, Liberia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Quantitative indicators, policy documents, and qualitative interviews and focus groups were collected from each country to examine factors within and across countries related to child mortality. We found familiar themes that highlighted the need for both specific services (e.g. primary care access, emergency obstetric and neonatal care) and general management (e.g. strong health governance and leadership, increasing community health workers, quality of care). We also identified methodological opportunities and challenges to assessing progress in child health, which can provide insights to similar efforts during the Sustainable Development Goal period. Specifically, it is important for countries to adapt general international goals and measurements to their national context, considering baseline mortality rates and health information systems, to develop country-specific goals. It will also be critical to develop more rigorous measurement tools and indicators to accurately characterize maternal, neonatal, and child health systems, particularly in the area of governance and leadership. Valuable lessons can be learned from Millennium Development Goal successes and failures, as well as how they are evaluated. As countries seek to lower child mortality further during the Sustainable Development Goal period, it will be necessary to prioritize and support countries in quantitative and qualitative data collection to assess and contextualize progress, identifying areas needing improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In many low-resource settings, in-service training is a common strategy to improve the performance of health workers and ultimately reduce the persistent burden of maternal mortality and morbidities. An evaluation of the Helping Mothers Survive Bleeding After Birth (HMS BAB) training as a single-component intervention in Tanzania found some positive albeit limited effect on clinical management and reduction of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Aim: In order to better understand these findings, and particularly the contribution of contextual factors on the observed effects, we explored health workers' perceptions of their health facilities' readiness to provide PPH care. Methods: We conducted 7 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 12 in-depth interviews (IDIs) in purposively selected intervention districts in the HMS BAB trial. FGDs and IDIs were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated verbatim. Thematic analysis, using both inductive and deductive approaches, was applied with the help of MAXQDA software. Results: Health workers perceive that their facilities have a low readiness to provide PPH care, leading to stressful situations and suboptimal clinical management. They describe inconsistencies in essential supplies, fluctuating availability of blood for transfusion, and ineffective referral system. In addition, there are challenges in collaboration, communication and leadership support, which is perceived to prevent effective management of cases within the facility as well as in referral situations. Health workers strive to provide life-saving care to women with PPH despite the perceived challenges. In some health facilities, health workers perceive supportive clinical leadership as motivating in providing good care. Conclusion: The potential positive effects of single-component interventions such as HMS BAB training on clinical outcome may be constraint by poor health facility readiness, including communication, leadership and referral processes that need to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advancing gender equality and health equity are concurrent priorities of the Ethiopian health sector. While gender is regarded as an important determinant of health, there is a paucity of literature that considers the interface between how these two priorities are pursued. Objective: This article explores how government stakeholders understand gender issues (gender barriers and roles) in the promotion of maternal, newborn and child health equity in Ethiopia. Methods: Adopting an exploratory qualitative case study design, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 purposively-selected stakeholders working in leadership positions with the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Women and Children Affairs as part of a larger study regarding the promotion of health equity in maternal, newborn and child health. A post hoc content and thematic sub-analysis was done to explore how participants raised gender issues in conversations about health equity. Results: Efforts to address gender inequalities were synonymous with the promotion of a women's health agenda, which was largely oriented towards promoting health service use. Men were predominant decision makers with regards to women's health and health care seeking in both public and private spheres. Participants reported persisting gender-related barriers to health stemming from traditional gender roles, and noted the increased inclusion of women in the health workforce since the introduction of the Health Extension Program. Conclusions: The framing of gender as a women's health issue, advanced through patriarchal structures, does little to elevate the status of women, or promote power differentials that contribute to health inequity. Encouraging leadership roles for women as health decision makers and redressing certain gender-based norms, attitudes, practices and discrimination are possible ways forward in re-orienting gender equality efforts to align with the promotion of health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A high maternal mortality ratio persists in South Africa despite developments in emergency obstetric care (EmOC), a known effective intervention against direct causes of maternal deaths. Strengthening the health systems is one of the focus areas identified by the National Committee for Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in South Africa. District managers as immediate overseers of the frontline health system are uniquely positioned to provide insight into the overall health system processes that influence the delivery of EmOC. Objective: We sought to identify health system enablers and barriers to the delivery EmOC from the perspective of district managers. This would potentially unearth aspects of the health system that require strengthening to better support EmOC and improve maternal outcomes. Methods: Face-to-face audio-recorded key informant interviews were conducted with 19 district managers in charge of the delivery of EmOC in one urban district. Interviews were transcribed and coded. Related codes were inductively grouped into emerging themes. Deductive thematic analysis was then applied to categorise emergent themes into the WHO health system building blocks. Results: Themes included a weaknesses in the organisation of health services; a high vacancy and turnover of senior management; poor clinical accountability from EmOC providers; inadequate resources (including infrastructure, staffing, and funding); and the need to improve district health information system indicators. Conclusion: The functioning of the district health system was weak, affecting the delivery of EmOC. Unless staffing is effectively addressed, the health system is unlikely to reduce maternal mortality to the desired level. Coordination of EmOC services by managers needs to be strengthened to limit fragmentation of care and improve the continuity EmOC. Furthermore, a high turnover of senior leadership affects implementation priorities and continuity in the overall strategic direction of EmOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Peru's Ministry of Health has made efforts to increase the cultural inclusiveness of maternal health services. In 2005, the Ministry adopted an intercultural birthing policy (IBP) that authorizes and encourages the use of culturally acceptable birthing practices in government-run health facilities. However, studies suggest that indigenous women may receive inconsistent benefits from these kinds of policies. This article examines whether a grassroots accountability initiative based on citizen monitoring of local health facilities by indigenous women can help to promote the objectives of the IBP and improve intercultural maternal health care. Design: Findings are drawn from a larger qualitative research study completed in 2015 that included fieldwork done between 2010 and 2011. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 women working as citizen monitors in local health facilities in Puno and 30 key informants, including frontline health workers, health officials, and civil society actors in Puno and Lima, and human rights lawyers from the Defensoria del Pueblo Office in Puno. Results: Monitors confirmed from their own personal experiences in the 1990s and early 2000s that respect for intercultural aspects of maternal health care, including traditional indigenous birthing practices, were not readily accepted in publicly funded health facilities. It was also common for indigenous women to face discrimination when seeking health service provided by the state. Although the government's adoption of the IBP in 2005 was a positive step, considerable efforts are still needed to ensure high-quality, culturally appropriate maternal health care is consistently available in local health facilities. Conclusions: Despite important progress in the past two decades, policies aimed at improving intercultural maternal health care are unevenly implemented in local health facilities. Civil society, in particular indigenous women themselves, can play an important role in holding the state accountable for quality care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community health workers (CHWs) have been employed in a number of low- and middle- income countries as part of primary health care strategies, but the packages vary across and even within countries. The experiences and motivations of a multipurpose CHW in providing maternal and newborn health have not been well described. Objective: This study examined the perceptions of community members and experiences of CHWs around promoting maternal and newborn care practices, and the self-identified factors that influence the performance of CHWs so as to inform future study design and programme implementation. Design: Data were collected using in-depth interviews with six local council leaders, ten health workers/CHW supervisors, and eight mothers. We conducted four focus group discussions with CHWs. Respondents included 14 urban and 18 rural CHWs. Key themes explored included the experience of CHWs according to their various roles, and the facilitators and barriers they encounter in their work particular to provision of maternal and newborn care. Qualitative data were analysed using manifest content analysis methods. Results: CHWs were highly appreciated in the community and seen as important contributors to maternal and newborn health at grassroots level. Factors that positively influence CHWs included being selected by and trained in the community; being trained in problem-solving skills; being deployed immediately after training with participation of local leaders; frequent supervision; and having a strengthened and responsive supply of services to which families can be referred. CHWs made use of social networks to identify pregnant and newly delivered women, and were able to target men and the wider family during health education activities. Intrinsic motivators (e.g. community appreciation and the prestige of being 'a doctor'), monetary (such as a small transport allowance), and material incentives (e.g. bicycles, bags) were also important to varying degrees. Conclusions: There is a continued role for CHWs in improving maternal and newborn care and linking families with health services. However, the process for building CHW programmes needs to be adapted to the local setting, including the process of training, deployment, supervision, and motivation within the context of a responsive and available health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduction of the duration of postpartum hospital stay in western countries highlights the need for better support and continuity of care for expectant and new mothers. The aim of this study was to investigate strategies to improve continuity of care for expectant and new mothers. The study also aimed to elaborate on a preliminary substantive grounded theory model of ''linkage in the chain of care'' that had been developed earlier. Grounded theory methodology, which involved multiple data sources comprising structured interviews with midwives and child healthcare nurses (n=20), as well as mothers (n=21), participant observation, and written material, was used. Comparative analysis was used to analyse the data. To achieve continuity, three main strategies, transfer, establishing and maintaining a relation, and adjustment, were identified. These strategies for continuity formed the basis of the core category, joint action. In all the strategies for continuity, midwives and child healthcare nurses worked together. In addition, mothers benefited from the joint action and recognized continuity of care when strategies for continuity were implemented. The results are discussed in relation to the established concepts of continuity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies examining how the capacity of health facilities affect implementation of free healthcare policies in low and middle-income countries are limited. Objective: This study describes how the context and institutional capacity of health facilities influenced implementation of the free maternal and child health programme (FMCHP) in Enugu state, South-east Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a qualitative case study at the state level and in two health districts (Isi-Uzo and Enugu Metropolis) in Enugu State. Data were collected through document review and semi-structured, in-depth interviews with policymakers (n = 16), healthcare providers (n = 16) and health facility committee leaders (n = 12) guided by an existing capacity framework and analysed using a thematic framework approach. Results: The findings reveal that active health facility committees, changes in provider payment process, supportive supervision, drug revolving fund, availability of medical equipment, electronic data transmission and staff sanction system enhanced the capacity of health facilities to offer free healthcare. However, ineffective decentralisation, irregular supervision and weak citizen participation limited this capacity. Uncertain provider payment, evidence of tax payment policy and a co-existing fee-exempt scheme constrained health facilities in following the FMCHP guidelines. Poor recording and reporting skills and lack of support from district officials constrained providers' adherence to claims' submission timeline. Poor funding, weak drug supply system, inadequate infrastructure and lack of participatory decision-making constrained delivery of free healthcare. Insufficient trained workforce, mission-inconsistent postings and transfers, and weak staff disciplinary system limited the human resource capacity. Conclusions: Effectiveness of FMCHP at the health facility level depends on the extent of decentralisation, citizen participation, concurrent and conflictive policies, timely payment of providers, organisation of service delivery and human resources practices. Attention to these contextual and institutional factors will enhance responsiveness of health facilities, sustainability of free healthcare policies and progress towards universal health coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Persistently high maternal mortality levels are a concern in developing countries. In India, monetary incentive schemes have increased institutional delivery rates appreciably, but have not been equally successful in reducing maternal mortality. Maternal outcomes are affected by quality of obstetric care and socio-cultural norms. In this light there is need to examine the quality of care provided to women delivering in institutions. Objective: This study aimed to examine pregnant women's expectations of high-quality care in public health facilities in Uttar Pradesh, India, and to contrast this with provider's perceptions of the same, as well as the barriers that limit their ability to provide high-quality care. Methods: A qualitative descriptive analysis was conducted on data from two studies - focus group discussions with rural women in their last trimester of pregnancy (conducted in 2014) to understand women's experience and satisfaction with maternal care services, and in-depth interviews with care providers (conducted in 2016-17) to understand provision of person-centred care. Provider perspectives were matched with themes of women's perspectives on quality of childbirth care in facilities. Results: Major themes of care prioritised by women included availability of doctors at the facility; availability of medicines; food; ambulance services; maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene; privacy; good and safe delivery with no complications; client-provider interaction; financial cost of care. Many women also voiced no expectation of care, indicating disillusionment from the existing system. Providers concurred with women on all themes of care except availability of doctors, as they felt that trained nurses were proficient in conducting deliveries. Conclusions: This study shows that women have clear expectations of quality care from facilities where they go to deliver. Understanding their expectations and matching them with providers' perspectives of care is critical for efforts to improve the quality of care and thereby impact maternal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a gap in knowledge about how citizen participation impacts governance of free healthcare policies for universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: This study provides evidence about how social accountability initiatives influenced revenue generation, pooling and fund management, purchasing and capacity of health facilities implementing the free maternal and child healthcare programme (FMCHP) in Enugu State, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive, qualitative case-study design to explore how social accountability influenced implementation of the FMCHP at the state level and in two health districts (Isi-Uzo and Enugu Metropolis) in Enugu State. Data were collected from policymakers (n = 16), providers (n = 16) and health facility committee leaders (n = 12) through in-depth interviews. We also conducted focus-group discussions (n = 4) with 42 service users and document review. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: It was found that health facility committees (HFCs) have not been involved in the generation of funds, fund management and tracking of spending in FMCHP. The HFCs did not also seem to have increased transparency of benefits and payment of providers. The HFCs emerged as the dominant social accountability initiative in FMCHP but lacked power in the governance of free health services. The HFCs were constrained by weak legal framework, ineffectual FMCHP committees at the state and district levels, restricted financial information disclosure, distrustful relationships with policymakers and providers, weak patient complaint system and low use of service charter. Conclusion: The HFCs have not played a significant role in health financing and service provision in FMCHP. The gaps in HFCs' participation in health financing functions and service delivery need to be considered in the design and implementation of free maternal and child healthcare policies that aim to achieve universal health coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rural populations in Uganda have limited access to formal financial Institutions, but a growing majority belong to saving groups. These saving groups could have the potential to improve household income and access to health services. Objective:To understand organizational characteristics, benefits and challenges, of savings groups in rural Uganda. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that employed both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Data on the characteristics of community-based savings groups (CBSGs) were collected from 247 CBSG leaders in the districts of Kamuli, Kibukuand Pallisa using self-administered open-ended questionnaires. To triangulate the findings, we conducted in-depth interviews with seven CBSG leaders. Descriptive quantitative and content analysis for qualitative data was undertaken respectively. Results: Almost a quarter of the savings groups had 5–14 members and slightly more than half of the saving groups had 15–30 members. Ninety-three percent of the CBSGs indicated electing their management committees democratically to select the group leaders and held meetings at least once a week. Eighty-nine percent of the CBSGs had used metallic boxes to keep their money, while 10% of the CBSGs kept their money using mobile money and banks,respectively. The main reasons for the formation of CBSGs were to increase household income, developing the community and saving for emergencies. The most common challenges associated with CBSG management included high illiteracy (35%) among the leaders,irregular attendance of meetings (22%), and lack of training on management and leadership(19%). The qualitative findings agreed with the quantitative findings and served to triangulate the main results. Conclusions: Saving groups in Uganda have the basic required structures; however, challenges exist in relation to training and management of the groups and their assets. The government and development partners should work together to provide technical support to the groups. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Support supervision is one of the strategies used to check the quality of services provided at health facilities. From 2013 to 2015, Makerere University School of Public Health strengthened support supervision in the district of Kibuku, Kamuli and Pallisa in Eastern Uganda to improve the quality of maternal and newborn services. Objective: This article assesses quality improvements in maternal and newborn care services and practices during this period. Methods: District management teams were trained for two days on how to conduct the supportive supervision. Teams were then allocated particular facilities, which they consistently visited every quarter. During each visit, teams scored the performance of each facility based on checklists; feedback and corrective actions were implemented. Support supervision focused on maternal health services, newborn care services, human resources, laboratory services, availability of Information, education and communication materials and infrastructure. Support supervision reports and checklists from a total of 28 health facilities, each with at least three support supervision visits, were analyzed for this study and 20 key-informant interviews conducted. Results: There was noticeable improvement in maternal and newborn services. For instance, across the first, second and third quarters, availability of parenteral oxytocin increased from 57% to 75% and then to 82%. Removal of retained products increased from 14% to 50% to 54%, respectively. There was perceived improvement in the use of standards and guidelines for emergency obstetric care and quality of care provided. Qualitatively, three themes were identified that promote the success of supportive supervision: changes in the support supervision style, changes in the adherence to clinical standards and guidelines, and multi-stakeholder engagement. Conclusion: Support supervision helped district health managers to identify and address maternal and newborn service-delivery gaps. However, issues beyond the jurisdiction of district health managers and facility managers may require additional interventions beyond supportive supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of literature on how to adapt new evidence-based interventions for maternal and newborn care into local health systems and policy for rapid scale-up, particularly for community-based interventions in low-income settings. The Uganda Newborn Study (UNEST) was a cluster randomised control trial to test a community-based care package which was rapidly taken up at national level. Understanding this process may help inform other studies looking to design and evaluate with scale-up in mind. This study aimed to describe the process of using evidence to design a community-based maternal and newborn care package in rural eastern Uganda, and to determine the dissemination and advocacy approaches used to facilitate rapid policy change and national uptake. We reviewed UNEST project literature including meeting reports and minutes, supervision reports, and annual and midterm reports. National stakeholders, project and district staff were interviewed regarding their role in the study and perceptions of what contributed to uptake of the package under evaluation. Data related to UNEST formative research, study design, implementation and policy influence were extracted and analysed. An advisory committee of key players in development of maternal and newborn policies and programmes in Uganda was constituted from many agencies and disciplines. Baseline qualitative and quantitative data collection was done at district, community and facility level to examine applicability of aspects of a proposed newborn care package to the local setting. Data were summarised and presented to stakeholders to adapt the intervention that was ultimately tested. Quarterly monitoring of key activities and events around the interventions were used to further inform implementation. The UNEST training package, home visit schedule and behaviour change counselling materials were incorporated into the national Village Health Team and Integrated Community Case Management packages while the study was ongoing. Designing interventions for national scale-up requires strategies and planning from the outset. Use of evidence alongside engagement of key stakeholders and targeted advocacy about the burden and potential solutions is important when adapting interventions to local health systems and communities. This approach has the potential to rapidly translate research into policy, but care must be taken not to exceed available evidence while seizing the policy opportunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community health workers (CHWs) have been employed in a number of low- and middle-income countries as part of primary health care strategies, but the packages vary across and even within countries. The experiences and motivations of a multipurpose CHW in providing maternal and newborn health have not been well described. This study examined the perceptions of community members and experiences of CHWs around promoting maternal and newborn care practices, and the self-identified factors that influence the performance of CHWs so as to inform future study design and programme implementation. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with six local council leaders, ten health workers/CHW supervisors, and eight mothers. We conducted four focus group discussions with CHWs. Respondents included 14 urban and 18 rural CHWs. Key themes explored included the experience of CHWs according to their various roles, and the facilitators and barriers they encounter in their work particular to provision of maternal and newborn care. Qualitative data were analysed using manifest content analysis methods. CHWs were highly appreciated in the community and seen as important contributors to maternal and newborn health at grassroots level. Factors that positively influence CHWs included being selected by and trained in the community; being trained in problem-solving skills; being deployed immediately after training with participation of local leaders; frequent supervision; and having a strengthened and responsive supply of services to which families can be referred. CHWs made use of social networks to identify pregnant and newly delivered women, and were able to target men and the wider family during health education activities. Intrinsic motivators (e.g. community appreciation and the prestige of being 'a doctor'), monetary (such as a small transport allowance), and material incentives (e.g. bicycles, bags) were also important to varying degrees. There is a continued role for CHWs in improving maternal and newborn care and linking families with health services. However, the process for building CHW programmes needs to be adapted to the local setting, including the process of training, deployment, supervision, and motivation within the context of a responsive and available health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to facility delivery in India has significantly increased with the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) cash transfer programme to promote facility births. However, a decline in maternal mortality has only followed secular trends as seen from the beginning of the decade well before the programme began. We, therefore, examined the quality of intrapartum care provided in facilities under the JSY programme to study whether it ensures skilled attendance at birth. 1) Non-participant observations (n=18) of intrapartum care during vaginal deliveries at a representative sample of 11 facilities in Madhya Pradesh to document what happens during intrapartum care. 2) Interviews (n=10) with providers to explore reasons for this care. Thematic framework analysis was used. Three themes emerged from the data: 1) delivery environment is chaotic: delivery rooms were not conducive to safe, women-friendly care provision, and coordination between providers was poor. 2) Staff do not provide skilled care routinely: this emerged from observations that monitoring was limited to assessment of cervical dilatation, lack of readiness to provide key elements of care, and the execution of harmful/unnecessary practices coupled with poor techniques. 3) Dominant staff, passive recipients: staff sometimes threatened, abused, or ignored women during delivery; women were passive and accepted dominance and disrespect. Attendants served as 'go-betweens' patients and providers. The interviews with providers revealed their awareness of the compromised quality of care, but they were constrained by structural problems. Positive practices were also observed, including companionship during childbirth and women mobilising in the early stages of labour. Our observational study did not suggest an adequate level of skilled birth attendance (SBA). The findings reveal insufficiencies in the health system and organisational structures to provide an 'enabling environment' for SBA. We highlight the need to ensure quality obstetric care prior to increasing coverage of facility births if cash transfer programmes like the JSY are to improve health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections acquired during childbirth are a common cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Changing provider behaviour and organisational settings within the health system is key to reducing the spread of infection. To explore the opinions of health personnel on health system factors related to infection control and their perceptions of change in a sample of hospital maternity units. An organisational change process called 'appreciative inquiry' (AI) was introduced in three maternity units of hospitals in Gujarat, India. AI is a change process that builds on recognition of positive actions, behaviours, and attitudes. In-depth interviews were conducted with health personnel to elicit information on the environment within which they work, including physical and organisational factors, motivation, awareness, practices, perceptions of their role, and other health system factors related to infection control activities. Data were obtained from three hospitals which implemented AI and another three not involved in the intervention. Challenges which emerged included management processes (e.g. decision-making and problem-solving modalities), human resource shortages, and physical infrastructure (e.g. space, water, and electricity supplies). AI was perceived as having a positive influence on infection control practices. Respondents also said that management processes improved although some hospitals had already undergone an accreditation process which could have influenced the changes described. Participants reported that team relationships had been strengthened due to AI. Technical knowledge is often emphasised in health care settings and less attention is paid to factors such as team relationships, leadership, and problem solving. AI can contribute to improving infection control by catalysing and creating forums for team building, shared decision making and problem solving in an enabling environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]