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Olseén CJV, Mothiba T, Skaal L, Hansson SR, Berggren V. Elucidating challenges and solutions in the maternal healthcare, identified by medical doctors in northern South Africa: a qualitative study. Pan Afr Med J 2020; 36:376. [PMID: 33235653 PMCID: PMC7666688 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2020.36.376.18544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction as South Africa's maternal mortality ratio increased between 1990 and 2015, the country failed to reach the United Nations millennium development goal 5a. The maternal mortality ratio of Limpopo province is higher than the national average and previous studies report shortages of manpower and medical equipment in Limpopo province. The overall study aim was to elucidate views and experiences of medical doctors regarding maternal healthcare by identifying the challenges they experience and solutions they suggest. Methods a qualitative interview-based study was performed with ten medical doctors as participants. Manifest content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results the main findings were categorized as lack of material and human resources, feelings of experienced isolation and solution-focused expressions. The challenges identified included logistical issues, staffing issues, demographic characteristics of the patient population, poor interinstitutional communication and lack of support from the administration. The solutions included revision of resource allocation and improvement of the interinstitutional cooperation. For example, participants suggested that exchange programs between hospitals could be arranged, that the emergency medical service personnel could triage patients and that private practitioners could be contracted to work at public institutions. Conclusion most identified challenges were related to a lack of resources. Based on their inside experience, the participants suggested several solutions. These firsthand accounts of the local medical doctors highlight the need for intervention and should be taken into account when it comes to improving the provincial healthcare and working toward achieving the healthcare-related sustainable development goals by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl-Johan Valentin Olseén
- Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Södra Förstadsgatan 35, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Care and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels Allé 23, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Tebogo Mothiba
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Dean´s Office, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
| | - Linda Skaal
- Department of Public Health, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
| | - Stefan Rocco Hansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, Lund, Sweden.,Obstetrics and Gynecology, Skåne University Hospital, Klinikgatan 12, Lund, Sweden
| | - Vanja Berggren
- Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Södra Förstadsgatan 35, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Care and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels Allé 23, Huddinge, Sweden
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2
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Hung YW, Hoxha K, Irwin BR, Law MR, Grépin KA. Using routine health information data for research in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:790. [PMID: 32843033 PMCID: PMC7446185 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05660-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Routine health information systems (RHISs) support resource allocation and management decisions at all levels of the health system, as well as strategy development and policy-making in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although RHIS data represent a rich source of information, such data are currently underused for research purposes, largely due to concerns over data quality. Given that substantial investments have been made in strengthening RHISs in LMICs in recent years, and that there is a growing demand for more real-time data from researchers, this systematic review builds upon the existing literature to summarize the extent to which RHIS data have been used in peer-reviewed research publications. METHODS Using terms 'routine health information system', 'health information system', or 'health management information system' and a list of LMICs, four electronic peer-review literature databases were searched from inception to February 202,019: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and EconLit. Articles were assessed for inclusion based on pre-determined eligibility criteria and study characteristics were extracted from included articles using a piloted data extraction form. RESULTS We identified 132 studies that met our inclusion criteria, originating in 37 different countries. Overall, the majority of the studies identified were from Sub-Saharan Africa and were published within the last 5 years. Malaria and maternal health were the most commonly studied health conditions, although a number of other health conditions and health services were also explored. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified an increasing use of RHIS data for research purposes, with many studies applying rigorous study designs and analytic methods to advance program evaluation, monitoring and assessing services, and epidemiological studies in LMICs. RHIS data represent an underused source of data and should be made more available and further embraced by the research community in LMIC health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen W Hung
- University of Waterloo, School of Public Health and Health Systems, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Klesta Hoxha
- University of Waterloo, School of Public Health and Health Systems, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Bridget R Irwin
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Michael R Law
- Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Karen A Grépin
- School of Public Health, Hong Kong University, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
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3
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Kennedy SH, Victora CG, Craik R, Ash S, Barros FC, Barsosio HC, Berkley JA, Carvalho M, Fernandes M, Cheikh Ismail L, Lambert A, Lindgren CM, McGready R, Munim S, Nellåker C, Noble JA, Norris SA, Nosten F, Ohuma EO, Papageorghiou AT, Stein A, Stones W, Tshivuila-Matala COO, Staines Urias E, Vatish M, Wulff K, Zainab G, Zondervan KT, Uauy R, Bhutta ZA, Villar J. Deep clinical and biological phenotyping of the preterm birth and small for gestational age syndromes: The INTERBIO-21 st Newborn Case-Control Study protocol. Gates Open Res 2019; 2:49. [PMID: 31172050 PMCID: PMC6545521 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.12869.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: INTERBIO-21
st is Phase II of the INTERGROWTH-21
st Project, the population-based, research initiative involving nearly 70,000 mothers and babies worldwide coordinated by Oxford University and performed by a multidisciplinary network of more than 400 healthcare professionals and scientists from 35 institutions in 21 countries worldwide. Phase I, conducted 2008-2015, consisted of nine complementary studies designed to describe optimal human growth and neurodevelopment, based conceptually on the WHO prescriptive approach. The studies generated a set of international standards for monitoring growth and neurodevelopment, which complement the existing WHO Child Growth Standards. Phase II aims to improve the functional classification of the highly heterogenous preterm birth and fetal growth restriction syndromes through a better understanding of how environmental exposures, clinical conditions and nutrition influence patterns of human growth from conception to childhood, as well as specific neurodevelopmental domains and associated behaviors at 2 years of age. Methods: In the INTERBIO-21
st Newborn Case-Control Study, a major component of Phase II, our objective is to investigate the mechanisms potentially responsible for preterm birth and small for gestational age and their interactions, using deep phenotyping of clinical, growth and epidemiological data and associated nutritional, biochemical, omic and histological profiles. Here we describe the study sites, population characteristics, study design, methodology and standardization procedures for the collection of longitudinal clinical data and biological samples (maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, placental tissue, maternal feces and infant buccal swabs) for the study that was conducted between 2012 and 2018 in Brazil, Kenya, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand and the UK. Discussion: Our study provides a unique resource for the planned analyses given the range of potentially disadvantageous exposures (including poor nutrition, pregnancy complications and infections) in geographically diverse populations worldwide. The study should enhance current medical knowledge and provide new insights into environmental influences on human growth and neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen H Kennedy
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
| | - Cesar G Victora
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Rachel Craik
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen Ash
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Ludwig Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fernando C Barros
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Comportamento, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Hellen C Barsosio
- KEMRI-Coast Centre for Geographical Medicine and Research, University of Oxford, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - James A Berkley
- KEMRI-Coast Centre for Geographical Medicine and Research, University of Oxford, Kilifi, Kenya.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Maria Carvalho
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michelle Fernandes
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ann Lambert
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
| | - Cecilia M Lindgren
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rose McGready
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Shama Munim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Christoffer Nellåker
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julia A Noble
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shane A Norris
- SAMRC Developmental Pathways For Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Francois Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Eric O Ohuma
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Center for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Aris T Papageorghiou
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
| | - Alan Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - William Stones
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Departments of Public Health and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Chrystelle O O Tshivuila-Matala
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,SAMRC Developmental Pathways For Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Health, Nutrition & Population Global Practice, World Bank Group, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Eleonora Staines Urias
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
| | - Manu Vatish
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Katharina Wulff
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ghulam Zainab
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Krina T Zondervan
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ricardo Uauy
- Division of Paediatrics, Pontifical Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Nutrition and Public Health Interventions Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Center for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - José Villar
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
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4
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Kennedy SH, Victora CG, Craik R, Ash S, Barros FC, Barsosio HC, Berkley JA, Carvalho M, Fernandes M, Cheikh Ismail L, Lambert A, Lindgren CM, McGready R, Munim S, Nellåker C, Noble JA, Norris SA, Nosten F, Ohuma EO, Papageorghiou AT, Stein A, Stones W, Tshivuila-Matala COO, Staines Urias E, Vatish M, Wulff K, Zainab G, Zondervan KT, Uauy R, Bhutta ZA, Villar J. Deep clinical and biological phenotyping of the preterm birth and small for gestational age syndromes: The INTERBIO-21 st Newborn Case-Control Study protocol. Gates Open Res 2019. [PMID: 31172050 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.12869.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: INTERBIO-21 st is Phase II of the INTERGROWTH-21 st Project, the population-based, research initiative involving nearly 70,000 mothers and babies worldwide coordinated by Oxford University and performed by a multidisciplinary network of more than 400 healthcare professionals and scientists from 35 institutions in 21 countries worldwide. Phase I, conducted 2008-2015, consisted of nine complementary studies designed to describe optimal human growth and neurodevelopment, based conceptually on the WHO prescriptive approach. The studies generated a set of international standards for monitoring growth and neurodevelopment, which complement the existing WHO Child Growth Standards. Phase II aims to improve the functional classification of the highly heterogenous preterm birth and fetal growth restriction syndromes through a better understanding of how environmental exposures, clinical conditions and nutrition influence patterns of human growth from conception to childhood, as well as specific neurodevelopmental domains and associated behaviors at 2 years of age. Methods: In the INTERBIO-21 st Newborn Case-Control Study, a major component of Phase II, our objective is to investigate the mechanisms potentially responsible for preterm birth and small for gestational age and their interactions, using deep phenotyping of clinical, growth and epidemiological data and associated nutritional, biochemical, omic and histological profiles. Here we describe the study sites, population characteristics, study design, methodology and standardization procedures for the collection of longitudinal clinical data and biological samples (maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, placental tissue, maternal feces and infant buccal swabs) for the study that was conducted between 2012 and 2018 in Brazil, Kenya, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand and the UK. Discussion: Our study provides a unique resource for the planned analyses given the range of potentially disadvantageous exposures (including poor nutrition, pregnancy complications and infections) in geographically diverse populations worldwide. The study should enhance current medical knowledge and provide new insights into environmental influences on human growth and neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen H Kennedy
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
| | - Cesar G Victora
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Rachel Craik
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen Ash
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Ludwig Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fernando C Barros
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Comportamento, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Hellen C Barsosio
- KEMRI-Coast Centre for Geographical Medicine and Research, University of Oxford, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - James A Berkley
- KEMRI-Coast Centre for Geographical Medicine and Research, University of Oxford, Kilifi, Kenya.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Maria Carvalho
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michelle Fernandes
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ann Lambert
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
| | - Cecilia M Lindgren
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rose McGready
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Shama Munim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Christoffer Nellåker
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julia A Noble
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shane A Norris
- SAMRC Developmental Pathways For Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Francois Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Eric O Ohuma
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Center for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Aris T Papageorghiou
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
| | - Alan Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - William Stones
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Departments of Public Health and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Chrystelle O O Tshivuila-Matala
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,SAMRC Developmental Pathways For Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Health, Nutrition & Population Global Practice, World Bank Group, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Eleonora Staines Urias
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
| | - Manu Vatish
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Katharina Wulff
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ghulam Zainab
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Krina T Zondervan
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ricardo Uauy
- Division of Paediatrics, Pontifical Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Nutrition and Public Health Interventions Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Center for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - José Villar
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, UK
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5
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Price CA, Green-Thompson L, Mammen VG, Madhi SA, Lala SG, Dangor Z. Knowledge gaps among South African healthcare providers regarding the prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal disease. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205157. [PMID: 30289900 PMCID: PMC6173416 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate obstetric healthcare provider knowledge regarding the prevention of group B streptococcal disease in South African infants. METHODS Questionnaires exploring knowledge, attitudes and beliefs around group B streptococcal prevention were administered to consenting doctors and maternity nurses in a tertiary academic hospital. Qualitative assessments (focus groups) were undertaken with junior doctors and nurses. RESULTS 238 participants completed the questionnaire: 150 (63.0%) doctors and 88 (37.0%) nurses. Overall, 22.7% of participants correctly identified the risk-based prevention protocol recommended at this hospital. Most doctors (68.0%) and nurses (94.3%) could not correctly list a single risk factor. A third of doctors did not know the correct antibiotic protocols, and most (80.0%) did not know the recommended timing of antibiotics in relation to delivery. Focus group discussions highlighted the lack of knowledge, awareness and effective implementation of protocols regarding disease prevention. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlighted knowledge gaps on the risk-based prevention strategy in a setting which has consistently reported among the highest incidence of invasive group B streptococcal disease globally. In these settings, education and prioritization of the risk-based intrapartum antibiotic strategy is warranted, but an alternative vaccine-based strategy may prove more effective in preventing invasive group B streptococcal disease in the long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caris A. Price
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Lionel Green-Thompson
- Office of Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Vijay G. Mammen
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Shabir A. Madhi
- Medical Research Council: Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation: Vaccine Preventable Diseases Research Chair, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sanjay G. Lala
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ziyaad Dangor
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Medical Research Council: Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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6
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Mnyani CN, Buchmann EJ, Chersich MF, Frank KA, McIntyre JA. Trends in maternal deaths in HIV-infected women, on a background of changing HIV management guidelines in South Africa: 1997 to 2015. J Int AIDS Soc 2018; 20. [PMID: 29178578 PMCID: PMC5810347 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction As work begins towards the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, much needs to be done in ending preventable maternal deaths. After 1990, South Africa experienced a reversal of gains in decreasing maternal mortality, with an increase in HIV‐related maternal deaths. In this study, we assessed trends in maternal mortality in HIV‐infected women, on a background of an evolving HIV care programme. Methods This was a cross‐sectional, retrospective record review of maternal deaths in the obstetrics unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, in Johannesburg, South Africa, a referral hospital in a high HIV prevalence setting where the prevalence among pregnant women has plateaued around 29.0% for the past decade. Trends in HIV diagnosis and management in pregnancy, and causes of maternal deaths in HIV‐infected women were analysed over different time periods (1997 to 2003, 2004 to 2009, 2010 to 2012, and 2013 to 2015) reflecting major guideline changes. Results From January 1997 to December 2015, there were 692 maternal deaths in the obstetrics unit. Of the 490 (70.8%) maternal deaths with a documented HIV status, 335 (68.4%) were HIV‐infected. A Chi‐squared test for trends showed that the institutional MMR (iMMR) in women known to be HIV‐infected peaked in the period 2004 to 2009 at 380 (95% CI 319 to 446) per 100,000 live births, with a decline to 267 (95% CI 198 to 353) in 2013 to 2015, p = 0.049. This decrease coincided with changes in the South African HIV management guidelines, mainly increased availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Non‐pregnancy related infections were the leading cause of death throughout the review period, accounting for 61.5% (206/335) of deaths. Only 23.3% (78/335) of the women who died were on ART at the time of death, this in the context of advanced immune suppression and an overall median CD4 count of 136 cells/μl (interquartile ranges (IQR) 45 to 301). Conclusion In this 19‐year review of maternal deaths in Johannesburg, South Africa, there was evidence of a decrease in the iMMR among HIV‐infected women, but it remains unacceptably high. Efforts to address drivers of mortality and barriers to accessing ART need to be accelerated if we are to see substantial decreases in maternal mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coceka N Mnyani
- School of Clinical Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,SACEMA (DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Eckhart J Buchmann
- School of Clinical Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Matthew F Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karlyn A Frank
- School of Clinical Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - James A McIntyre
- Anova Health Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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7
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Ntuli ST, Mogale M, Hyera FLM, Naidoo S. An investigation of maternal mortality at a tertiary hospital of the Limpopo province of South Africa. S Afr J Infect Dis 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/23120053.2017.1293902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sam Thembelihle Ntuli
- Research Development Administration, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
- Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
| | - Mabina Mogale
- Department of Public Health: Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Francis LM Hyera
- Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
| | - Shan Naidoo
- Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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8
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Black V, Black AD, Rees HV, Guidozzi F, Scorgie F, Chersich MF. Increased Access to Antiretroviral Therapy Is Associated with Reduced Maternal Mortality in Johannesburg, South Africa: An Audit from 2003-2012. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168199. [PMID: 28033409 PMCID: PMC5199074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of expanded access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) on maternal mortality in Johannesburg, South Africa between 2003 and 2012. METHODS Audit of patient files, birth registers and death certificates at a tertiary level referral hospital. Cause of death was assigned independently, by two reviewers. We compared causes of deaths and the maternal mortality ratios (MMR, deaths/100,000 live births) over three periods corresponding to changes in government policy on ART provision: period one, 2003-2004 (pre-ART); period two, 2005-2009 (ART eligibility with CD4 count <200cells/μL or WHO stage 4 disease); and period three, 2010-2012 (eligibility with CD4 count <350 cells/μL). RESULTS There were 232 deaths and 80,376 deliveries in the three periods. The proportion of pregnant women tested for HIV rose from 43.4% in 2003 to 94.6% in 2012. MMR was 301, 327 and 232 in the three periods, (p = 0.10). The third period MMR was lower than the first and second combined (p = 0.03). Among HIV-positive women, the MMR fell from 836 in the first time period to 431 in the third (p = 0.008) but among HIV negative women it remained unchanged over the three periods, averaging 148. Even in the third period, however, the MMR among HIV-infected women was 3-fold higher than in other women. Mortality from direct obstetric causes such as hemorrhage did not decline over time, but deaths from tuberculosis and HIV-associated malignancy did. In 38.3% of deaths, women had not attended antenatal care. CONCLUSION Higher coverage of HIV testing and ART has substantially reduced MMR in this hospital setting. Though the gap in MMR between women with and without HIV narrowed, a third of deaths still remain attributable to HIV. Lowering overall MMR will require further strengthening of HIV services, increased antenatal care coverage, and improved care for obstetric emergencies at all levels of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Black
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Andrew D. Black
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Helen V. Rees
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Franco Guidozzi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fiona Scorgie
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Matthew F. Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Wabiri N, Chersich M, Shisana O, Blaauw D, Rees H, Dwane N. Growing inequities in maternal health in South Africa: a comparison of serial national household surveys. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2016; 16:256. [PMID: 27581489 PMCID: PMC5007803 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-016-1048-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rates of maternal mortality and morbidity vary markedly, both between and within countries. Documenting these variations, in a very unequal society like South Africa, provides useful information to direct initiatives to improve services. The study describes inequalities over time in access to maternal health services in South Africa, and identifies differences in maternal health outcomes between population groups and across geographical areas. METHODS Data were analysed from serial population-level household surveys that applied multistage-stratified sampling. Access to maternal health services and health outcomes in 2008 (n = 1121) were compared with those in 2012 (n = 1648). Differences between socio-economic quartiles were quantified using the relative (RII) and slope (SII) index of inequality, based on survey weights. RESULTS High levels of inequalities were noted in most measures of service access in both 2008 and 2012. Inequalities between socio-economic quartiles worsened over time in antenatal clinic attendance, with overall coverage falling from 97.0 to 90.2 %. Nationally, skilled birth attendance remained about 95 %, with persistent high inequalities (SII = 0.11, RII = 1.12 in 2012). In 2012, having a doctor present at childbirth was higher than in 2008 (34.4 % versus 27.8 %), but inequalities worsened. Countrywide, levels of planned pregnancy declined from 44.6 % in 2008 to 34.7 % in 2012. The RII and SII rose over this period and in 2012, only 22.4 % of the poorest quartile had a planned pregnancy. HIV testing increased substantially by 2012, though remains low in groups with a high HIV prevalence, such as women in rural formal areas, and from Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces. Marked deficiencies in service access were noted in the Eastern Cape ad North West provinces. CONCLUSIONS Though some population-level improvements occurred in access to services, inequalities generally worsened. Low levels of planned pregnancy, antenatal clinic access and having a doctor present at childbirth among poor women are of most concern. Policy makers should carefully balance efforts to increase service access nationally, against the need for programs targeting underserved populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Njeri Wabiri
- Epidemiology and Strategic Information Unit, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Matthew Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Olive Shisana
- Evidence Based Solutions, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Duane Blaauw
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Helen Rees
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ntabozuko Dwane
- Epidemiology and Strategic Information Unit, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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