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Kujabi ML, Maembe L, Nkungu D, Maaløe N, D'mello BS, van Roosmalen J, van den Akker T, Konradsen F, Hussein K, Pallangyo E, Skovdal M, Sørensen JB. Temporalities of oxytocin for labour augmentation: a mixed-methods study of time factors shaping labour practices in a busy maternity unit in Tanzania. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:563. [PMID: 39210352 PMCID: PMC11363361 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06717-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High rates of labour augmentation with oxytocin have been found in some low- and lower-middle-income countries, causing potential perinatal harm. It is critical to understand the reasons for this overuse. Aim was to explore factors that shape practices around using oxytocin for labour augmentation in a high-volume labour ward in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. METHODS Mixed-methods data collection was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022, including structured observations of 234 births, 220 h of unstructured labour ward observations and 13 individual in-depth interviews with birth attendants. Thematic network analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. We used a time-lens to understand practices of oxytocin for labour augmentation in time-pressured labour wards. RESULTS Birth attendants constantly had to prioritise certain care practices over others in response to time pressure. This led to overuse of oxytocin for augmentation to ensure faster labour progression and decongestion of the, often overburdened, ward. Simultaneously, birth attendants had little time to monitor foetal and maternal condition. Surprisingly, while oxytocin was used in 146 out of 234 (62.4%) structured labour observations, only 9/234 (4.2%) women had active labour lasting more than 12 h. Correspondingly, 21/48 (43.8%) women who were augmented with oxytocin in the first stage of labour had uncomplicated labour progression at the start of augmentation. While the partograph was often not used for decision-making, timing of starting oxytocin often correlated with natural cycles of ward-rounds and shift-turnovers instead of individual women's labour progression. This resulted in co-existence of 'too early' and 'too late' use of oxytocin. Liberal use of oxytocin for labour augmentation was facilitated by an underlying fear of prolonged labour and low alertness of oxytocin-related risks. CONCLUSIONS Time scarcity in the labour ward often made birth attendants deviate from clinical guidelines for labour augmentation with oxytocin. Efforts to navigate time pressure resulted in too many women with uncomplicated labour progression receiving oxytocin with little monitoring of labour. Fear of prolonged labour and low alertness to oxytocin-mediated risks were crucial drivers. These findings call for research into safety and benefits of oxytocin in low-resource settings and interventions to address congestion in labour wards to prevent using oxytocin as a time-management tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Lauridsen Kujabi
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital Skejby, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Luzango Maembe
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Mwanyanamala Regional Referral Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Daniel Nkungu
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Nanna Maaløe
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Brenda Sequeira D'mello
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Medical College East Africa, Aga Khan University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- CCBRT Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jos van Roosmalen
- Athena Institute, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas van den Akker
- Athena Institute, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Flemming Konradsen
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Kidanto Hussein
- Medical College East Africa, Aga Khan University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Eunice Pallangyo
- School of Nursing and Midwifery East Africa, Aga Khan University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Morten Skovdal
- Section of Health Services Research, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jane Brandt Sørensen
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Bayou NB, Grant L, Riley SC, Bradley EH. Quality of hospital labour and delivery care: A multilevel analysis in Southern Nations and Nationalities People's Region of Ethiopia. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0285058. [PMID: 38889169 PMCID: PMC11185448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethiopia has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in Africa. Few have examined the quality of labour and delivery (L&D) care in the country. This study evaluated the quality of routine L&D care and identified patient-level and hospital-level factors associated with the quality of care in a subset of government hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a facility-based, cross-sectional study using direct non-participant observation carried out in 2016. All mothers who received routine L&D care services at government hospitals (n = 20) in one of the populous regions of Ethiopia, Southern Nations Nationalities and People's Region (SNNPR), were included. Mixed effects multilevel linear regression modeling was employed in two stages using hospital as a random effect, with quality of L&D care as the outcome and selected patient and hospital characteristics as independent variables. Patient characteristics included woman's age, number of previous births, number of skilled attendants involved in care process, and presence of any danger sign in current pregnancy. Hospital characteristics included teaching hospital status, mean number of attended births in the previous year, number of fulltime skilled attendants in the L&D ward, whether the hospital had offered refresher training on L&D care in the previous 12 months, and the extent to which the hospital met the 2014 Ethiopian Ministry of Health standards regarding to resources available for providing quality of L&D care (measured on a 0-100% scale). These standards pertain to availability of human resource by category and training status, availability of essential drugs, supplies and equipment in L&D ward, availability of laboratory services and safe blood, and availability of essential guidelines for key L&D care processes. RESULTS On average, the hospitals met two-thirds of the standards for L&D care quality, with substantial variation between hospitals (standard deviation 10.9 percentage points). While the highest performing hospital met 91.3% of standards, the lowest performing hospital met only 35.8% of the standards. Hospitals had the highest adherence to standards in the domain of immediate and essential newborn care practices (86.8%), followed by the domain of care during the second and third stages of labour (77.9%). Hospitals scored substantially lower in the domains of active management of third stage of labour (AMTSL) (42.2%), interpersonal communication (47.2%), and initial assessment of the woman in labour (59.6%). We found the quality of L&D care score was significantly higher for women who had a history of any danger sign (β = 5.66; p-value = 0.001) and for women who were cared for at a teaching hospital (β = 12.10; p-value = 0.005). Additionally, hospitals with lower volume and more resources available for L&D care (P-values < 0.01) had higher L&D quality scores. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the quality of L&D care provided to labouring mothers at government hospitals in SNNPR was limited. Lack of adherence to standards in the areas of the critical tasks of initial assessment, AMTSL, interpersonal communication during L&D, and respect for women's preferences are especially concerning. Without greater attention to the quality of L&D care, regardless of how accessible hospital L&D care becomes, maternal and neonatal mortality rates are unlikely to decrease substantially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negalign B. Bayou
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Liz Grant
- Global Health Academy, Centre for Population Health Sciences, The Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Simon C. Riley
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Osei Afriyie D, Loo PS, Kuwawenaruwa A, Kassimu T, Fink G, Tediosi F, Mtenga S. Understanding the role of the Tanzania national health insurance fund in improving service coverage and quality of care. Soc Sci Med 2024; 347:116714. [PMID: 38479141 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Health insurance is one of the main financing mechanisms currently being used in low and middle-income countries to improve access to quality services. Tanzania has been running its National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) since 2001 and has recently undergone significant reforms. However, there is limited attention to the causal mechanisms through which NHIF improves service coverage and quality of care. This paper aims to use a system dynamics (qualitative) approach to understand NHIF causal pathways and feedback loops for improving service coverage and quality of care at the primary healthcare level in Tanzania. We used qualitative interviews with 32 stakeholders from national, regional, district, and health facility levels conducted between May to July 2021. Based on the main findings and themes generated from the interviews, causal mechanisms, and feedback loops were created. The majority of feedback loops in the CLDs were reinforcing cycles for improving service coverage among beneficiaries and the quality of care by providers, with different external factors affecting these two actions. Our main feedback loop shows that the NHIF plays a crucial role in providing additional financial resources to facilities to purchase essential medical commodities to deliver care. However, this cycle is often interrupted by reimbursement delays. Additionally, beneficiaries' perception that lower-level facilities have poorer quality of care has reinforced care seeking at higher-levels. This has decreased lower level facilities' ability to benefit from the insurance and improve their capacity to deliver quality care. Another key finding was that the NHIF funding has resulted in better services for insured populations compared to the uninsured. To increase quality of care, the NHIF may benefit from improving its reimbursement administrative processes, increasing the capacity of lower levels of care to benefit from the insurance and appropriately incentivizing providers for continuity of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Osei Afriyie
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Pei Shan Loo
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - August Kuwawenaruwa
- Health Systems, Impact Evaluation and Policy Group, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.
| | - Tani Kassimu
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland; Health Systems, Impact Evaluation and Policy Group, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.
| | - Günther Fink
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Sally Mtenga
- Health Systems, Impact Evaluation and Policy Group, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania; Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Ireland, UK.
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Sørensen JB, Housseine N, Maaløe N, Bygbjerg IC, Pinkowski Tersbøl B, Konradsen F, Sequeira Dmello B, van Den Akker T, van Roosmalen J, Mookherji S, Siaity E, Osaki H, Khamis RS, Kujabi ML, John TW, Wolf Meyrowitsch D, Mbekenga C, Skovdal M, L. Kidanto H. Scaling up Locally Adapted Clinical Practice Guidelines for Improving Childbirth Care in Tanzania: A Protocol for Programme Theory and Qualitative Methods of the PartoMa Scale-up Study. Glob Health Action 2022; 15:2034136. [PMID: 35311627 PMCID: PMC8942528 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2022.2034136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective, low-cost clinical interventions to improve facility-based care during childbirth are critical to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in low-resource settings. While health interventions for low- and lower-middle-income countries are often developed and implemented top-down, needs and circumstances vary greatly across locations. Our pilot study in Zanzibar improved care through locally co-created intrapartum clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and associated training (the PartoMa intervention). This intervention was context-tailored with health-care providers in Zanzibar and now scaled up within five maternity units in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This PartoMa Scale-up Study thereby provides an opportunity to explore the co-creation process and modification of the intervention in another context and how scale-up might be successfully achieved. The overall protocol is presented in a separate paper. The aim of the present paper is to account for the Scale-up Study's programme theory and qualitative methodology. We introduce social practice theory and argue for its value within the programme theory and towards qualitative explorations of shifts in clinical practice. The theory recognizes that the practice we aim to strengthen - safe and respectful clinical childbirth care - is not practiced in a vacuum but embedded within a socio-material context and intertwined with other practices. Methodologically, the project draws on ethnographic and participatory methodologies to explore current childbirth care practices. In line with our programme theory, explorations will focus on meanings of childbirth care, material tools and competencies that are being drawn upon, birth attendants' motivations and relational contexts, as well as other everyday practices of childbirth care. Insights generated from this study will not only elucidate active ingredients that make the PartoMa intervention feasible (or not) but develop the knowledge foundation for scaling-up and replicability of future interventions based on the principles of co-creation and contextualisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Brandt Sørensen
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Natasha Housseine
- Medical College, Aga Khan University, Medical College East Africa, Dar Es Salaam CampusTanzania
| | - Nanna Maaløe
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Ib Christian Bygbjerg
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Britt Pinkowski Tersbøl
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Flemming Konradsen
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Brenda Sequeira Dmello
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Medical College, Aga Khan University, Medical College East Africa, Dar Es Salaam CampusTanzania
- Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in TanzaniaTanzania
| | - Thomas van Den Akker
- Athena Institute is the department, Athena Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jos van Roosmalen
- Athena Institute is the department, Athena Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sangeeta Mookherji
- Department of Global Health, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington DC, US
| | - Eunice Siaity
- Medical college, Aga Khan University, School of Nursing and Midwifery East Africa, Dar Es Salaam CampusTanzania
| | - Haika Osaki
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Medical College, Aga Khan University, Medical College East Africa, Dar Es Salaam CampusTanzania
| | - Rashid Saleh Khamis
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Monica Lauridsen Kujabi
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Wiswa John
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Medical College, Aga Khan University, Medical College East Africa, Dar Es Salaam CampusTanzania
| | - Dan Wolf Meyrowitsch
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Columba Mbekenga
- Medical college, Aga Khan University, School of Nursing and Midwifery East Africa, Dar Es Salaam CampusTanzania
| | - Morten Skovdal
- Section for Health Services Research, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hussein L. Kidanto
- Medical College, Aga Khan University, Medical College East Africa, Dar Es Salaam CampusTanzania
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Masaba BB, Mmusi-Phetoe R, Rono B, Moraa D, Moturi JK, Kabo JW, Oyugi S, Taiswa J. The healthcare system and client failures contributing to maternal mortality in rural Kenya. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:903. [PMID: 36471265 PMCID: PMC9721048 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-05259-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 211/100 000 live births in 2017. In Kenya, progress on reducing maternal mortality appears to be slow and persistently higher than the global average, despite efforts by the government's provision of free maternity services in both private and public facilities in 2013. We aimed to explore and describe the experiences of midwives on maternal deaths that are associated with the healthcare system and client failures in Migori, Kenya. METHODS An explanatory, qualitative approach method was adopted. In-depth interviews were conducted with the purposively selected midwives working in peripartum units of the three sampled hospitals within Migori County in Kenya. The hospitals included two county referral hospitals and one private referral hospital. Saturation was reached with 37 respondents. NVivo 11 software was used for analysis. Content analysis using a qualitative approach was adopted. Accordingly, the data transcripts were synthesised, coded and organised into thematic domains. RESULTS Identified sub-themes: sub-optimal care, staff inadequacy, theatre delays, lack of blood and essential drugs, non-adherence to protocols, staff shortage, inadequate equipment and supplies, unavailable ICU wards, clients' ANC non-adherence. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the study notes that the healthcare system and client failures are contributing to maternal mortality in the study setting. The major failures are across the pregnancy continuum starting from antenatal care, and intrapartum to post-natal care. This can illustrate that some pregnant mothers are getting sub-optimal care reducing their survival chances. To reduce maternal mortality in Migori County, the key highlighted healthcare system and client failures should be addressed through a multidisciplinary approach mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Barasa Masaba
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238Department of Health Studies, College of Human Sciences, School of Social Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rose Mmusi-Phetoe
- grid.412801.e0000 0004 0610 3238Department of Health Studies, College of Human Sciences, School of Social Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Bernard Rono
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Centre of Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Damaris Moraa
- School of Nursing, Kaimosi Friends University, P.O. Box 385, Kaimosi, Kenya
| | - John K. Moturi
- grid.494616.80000 0004 4669 2655School of Nursing, Kibabii University, P.O. Box 1699, Bungoma, Kenya
| | - Jane W. Kabo
- grid.494616.80000 0004 4669 2655School of Nursing, Kibabii University, P.O. Box 1699, Bungoma, Kenya
| | - Samuel Oyugi
- grid.442475.40000 0000 9025 6237Department of Clinical Nursing and Health Informatics, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega, Kenya
| | - Jonathan Taiswa
- grid.442475.40000 0000 9025 6237Department of Clinical Nursing and Health Informatics, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega, Kenya
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Høifødt AI, Huurnink JME, Egenberg S, Massay DA, Mchome B, Eri TS. The perspectives of nurse-midwives and doctors on clinical challenges of prolonged labor: A qualitative study from Tanzania. Eur J Midwifery 2022; 6:61. [PMID: 36187168 PMCID: PMC9483773 DOI: 10.18332/ejm/152747] [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: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, evidence suggests that one-third of nulliparous women experience delay in the first stage of labor with an increased risk of poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. With this study, we explore how clinical challenges related to prolonged labor are perceived by nurse-midwives and doctors in Tanzania. METHODS A qualitative study with group interviews of either nurse-midwives (7 interviews) or doctors (2 interviews). A total of 37 respondents, among them 32 registered nurse-midwives and 5 doctors participated, all with experience from labor wards. A qualitative content analysis was performed. The study setting comprised one zonal consultant university hospital and one regional referral hospital in Northern Tanzania. RESULTS Clinical challenges were expressed in relation to: 1) various ways of understanding prolonged labor, manifested by variations in expected duration of labor and the usage of different terms to describe prolonged labor; 2) assessing progress in labor, the partograph being described as an important tool but also a template defining a too narrow normal; 3) appropriate intervention at the appropriate time, the respondents reflect on the correct time for artificial rupture of membranes, oxytocin augmentation and cesarean section; 4) monitoring fetal heart rate, distrust in the monitoring equipment with experiences of surprisingly poor neonates; and 5) working as a team, where the perception of urgency varies and distrust is present. CONCLUSIONS Nurse-midwives and doctors in Tanzania face major challenges related to diagnosing prolonged labor, monitoring fetal heart rate and providing high quality health services as a team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aase I. Høifødt
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Johanne M. E. Huurnink
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Signe Egenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | | | - Bariki Mchome
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tine S. Eri
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
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Effect of the labour roadmap on anxiety, labour pain, sense of control, and gestational outcomes in primiparas. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2022; 46:101545. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Nyamhanga TM, Frumence G, Hurtig AK. Facilitators and barriers to effective supervision of maternal and newborn care: a qualitative study from Shinyanga region, Tanzania. Glob Health Action 2021; 14:1927330. [PMID: 34148525 PMCID: PMC8216264 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2021.1927330] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite routine supportive supervision of health service delivery, maternal and newborn outcomes have remained poor in sub-Saharan Africa in general and in Tanzania in particular. There is limited research evidence on factors limiting the effectiveness of supportive supervision in improving the quality of maternal and newborn care. Objective: This study explored enablers of and barriers to supportive supervision in maternal and newborn care at the district and hospital levels in Shinyanga region in Tanzania. Methods: This study employed a qualitative case study design. A purposeful sampling approach was employed to recruit a stratified sample of health system actors: members of the council health management team (CHMT), members of health facility management teams (HMTs), heads of units in the maternity department and health workers. Results: This study identified several barriers to the effectiveness of supportive supervision. First, the lack of a clear policy on supportive supervision. Despite the general acknowledgement of supportive supervision as a managerial mechanism for quality improvement at the district and lower-level health facilities, there is no clear policy guiding it. Second, limitations in measurement of progress in quality improvement; although supportive supervision is routinely conducted to improve maternal and newborn outcomes, efforts to measure progress are limited due to shortfalls in the setting of goals and targets, as well as gaps in M&E. Third, resource constraints and low motivation; that is, the shortage of resources – CHMT supervisors, health staff and funds – results in irregular supervision and low motivation. Conclusion: Besides resource constraints, lack of clear policies and limitations related to progress measurement impair the effectiveness of supportive supervision in improving maternal and newborn outcomes. There is a need to reform supportive supervision so that it aids and measures progress not only at the district but also at the health facility level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tumaini Mwita Nyamhanga
- Department of Development Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Gasto Frumence
- Department of Development Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Anna-Karin Hurtig
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Coates D, Catling C. The Use of Ethnography in Maternity Care. Glob Qual Nurs Res 2021; 8:23333936211028187. [PMID: 34263014 PMCID: PMC8243125 DOI: 10.1177/23333936211028187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
While the value of ethnography in health research is recognized, the extent to which it is used is unclear. The aim of this review was to map the use of ethnography in maternity care, and identify the extent to which the key principles of ethnographies were used or reported. We systematically searched the literature over a 10-year period. Following exclusions we analyzed 39 studies. Results showed the level of detail between studies varied greatly, highlighting the inconsistencies, and poor reporting of ethnographies in maternity care. Over half provided no justification as to why ethnography was used. Only one study described the ethnographic approach used in detail, and covered the key features of ethnography. Only three studies made reference to the underpinning theoretical framework of ethnography as seeking to understand and capture social meanings. There is a need to develop reporting guidelines to guide researchers undertaking and reporting on ethnographic research.
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Litorp H, Gurung R, Målqvist M, Kc A. Disclosing suboptimal indications for emergency caesarean sections due to fetal distress and prolonged labor: a multicenter cross-sectional study at 12 public hospitals in Nepal. Reprod Health 2020; 17:197. [PMID: 33334355 PMCID: PMC7745386 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-020-01039-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global caesarean section (CS) rates have raised concern of a potential overuse of the procedure in both high- and low-resource settings. We sought to assess management and outcomes of deliveries with emergency CSs due to fetal distress and prolonged labor at 12 public hospitals in Nepal and determine factors associated with suboptimal CS indications. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study on all deliveries between the 14th of April 2017 and the 17th of October 2018 at 12 public hospitals in Nepal and included all emergency CSs due to fetal distress and prolonged labor. Analysis was conducted using Pearson chi-square test and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS The total cohort included 104,322 deliveries of which 18,964 (18%) were CSs (13,095 [13%] emergency CSs and 5230 [5.0%] elective CSs). We identified 1806 emergency CSs due to fetal distress and 1322 emergency CSs due to prolonged labor. Among CSs due to fetal distress, only 36% had fetal heart rate monitoring performed according to protocol, and among CSs due to prolonged labor, the partograph was completely filled in only 8.6%. Gestational age < 37 weeks and birth weight < 2500 g were associated with more suboptimal CS indications due to fetal distress (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-1.8 and aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2 respectively) than those with gestational age > 37 weeks and birth weight > 2500 g. We found no association between suboptimal CS indications and maternal ethnicity or education level. CONCLUSIONS As fetal heart rate monitoring and partograph are fundamental to diagnose fetal distress and prolonged labor, the inappropriate monitoring proceeding CS decisions disclosed in our study indicate that CSs were performed on suboptimal indications. We call for improved quality of intrapartum monitoring, enhanced documentation in medical records, and structured auditing of CS indications in order to curb the potentially harmful CS trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Litorp
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. .,Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Mats Målqvist
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ashish Kc
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Society of Public Health Physician's Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Ramadhani FB, Liu Y, Lembuka MM. Knowledge and barriers on correct use of modified guidelines for active management of third stage of labour: a cross sectional survey of nurse-midwives at three referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Afr Health Sci 2020; 20:1908-1917. [PMID: 34394257 PMCID: PMC8351820 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i4.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the fact that it is possibly preventable, postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the global most deadly form of obstetric bleeding, mainly sub-Saharan Africa with at least one-fourth of maternal deaths in East African regions. Active management of third stage of labour (AMTSL) is recommended to prevent PPH. However, AMTSL guidelines have been revised since 2006. Objectives To examine the current status of nurse-midwives' knowledge on modified AMTSL guidelines and highlight barriers to AMTSL correct use. Method Descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted to 160 nurse-midwives at three referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. One-way, interactive modes ANOVA and Chi square (χ2) test were run in SPSS 21 version to compare the association of independent and dependent variables. Results Virtually all nurse-midwives knew the first recommended uterotonic (99.4%) and delayed cord clamping (98.8%) protocols as modified. Knowledge was significantly contributed by multiple factors; p=0.001. Reported correct AMTSL use was 46.8% which was significantly affected by AMTSL training (χ2 = 6.732, p = 0.009) and prioritizing atteding an asphyxiated baby (χ2 = 5.647, p = 0.017). Conclusion Regardless of high nurse-midwives' AMTSL knowledge; it is imperative that responsible authorities plan appropriate strategies to solve reported barriers affecting correct AMTSL use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatina B Ramadhani
- Nursing Department of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Nursing department, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Clinical Nursing department, School of Nursing, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)
| | - Yilan Liu
- Nursing Department of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Nursing department, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
| | - Melania Menrad Lembuka
- Clinical Nursing department, School of Nursing, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)
- Surgery department, Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH)
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Ajayi AI. "I am alive; my baby is alive": Understanding reasons for satisfaction and dissatisfaction with maternal health care services in the context of user fee removal policy in Nigeria. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0227010. [PMID: 31869385 PMCID: PMC6927641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The main policy thrust in many sub-Saharan Africa countries’ aim at addressing maternal mortality is the elimination of the user fee for maternal healthcare services. While several studies have documented the effect of the user fee removal policy on the use of maternal health care services, the experiences of women seeking care in facilities offering free obstetrics services, their level of satisfaction and reasons for satisfaction or dissatisfaction are poorly understood. Methods This study adopted a mixed study design involving a population survey of 1227 women of reproductive age who gave birth in the last five years preceding the study (2011–2015), 68 in-depth interviews, and six focus group discussions. Simple descriptive statistics were performed on 407 women who benefitted from the user fee removal policy, while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results The overall level of satisfaction with care received was remarkably high (97.1%), with birth outcomes being the central reason for their satisfaction. Participants were also satisfied with both the process aspect of care (which includes health workers’ attitude and privacy) and the structural dimension of care (such as, the cleanliness of health care facilities and availability of and access to medicine). From the qualitative analysis, prolonged waiting-time, the limited scope of coverage, mistreatment, disrespect and abuse, inadequate infrastructure and bed space were the main reasons why a few women were dissatisfied with care under free maternal health care. Conclusion The findings establish a high level of beneficiaries’ satisfaction with care under free maternal health policy in Nigeria, raising the need for sustaining the policy in expanding access to maternal health services for the poor. Nevertheless, issues relating to prolonged waiting-time, the limited scope of coverage, mistreatment, disrespect and abuse, inadequate infrastructure and bed space require attention from policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Idowu Ajayi
- Population Dynamics and Reproductive Health and Right Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, APHRC Campus, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
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Alwy Al-Beity F, Pembe A, Hirose A, Morris J, Leshabari S, Marrone G, Hanson C. Effect of the competency-based Helping Mothers Survive Bleeding after Birth (HMS BAB) training on maternal morbidity: a cluster-randomised trial in 20 districts in Tanzania. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001214. [PMID: 30997164 PMCID: PMC6441296 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Training health providers is an important strategy to improve health. We conducted a cluster-randomised two-arm trial in Tanzania to assess the effect of a 1-day competency-based training ‘Helping Mothers Survive Bleeding after Birth (HMS BAB)’ followed by eight weekly drills on postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)-related morbidity and mortality. Methods Twenty districts in four purposefully selected regions in Tanzania included 61 facilities. The districts were randomly allocated using matched pairs to ensure similarity in terms of district health services in intervention and comparison districts. In the 10 intervention districts 331 health providers received the HMS BAB training. The other half continued with standard practices. We used the WHO’s near miss tool to collect information on severe morbidity (near misses) of all women admitted to study facilities. We performed interrupted time series analysis to estimate differences in the change of near miss per delivery rate and case fatality rates. We also assessed implementation of evidence-based preventive and basic management practices for PPH as secondary outcomes. Results We included 120 533 facility deliveries, 6503 near misses and 202 maternal deaths in study districts during study period (November 2014 to January 2017). A significant reduction of PPH near misses was found among women who suffered PPH in the intervention district compared with comparison districts (difference-in-differences of slopes −5.3, 95% CI −7.8 to −2.7, p<0.001) from a baseline PPH-related near miss rate of 71% (95% CI 60% to 80%). There was a significant decrease in the long-term PPH near miss case fatality (difference-in-differences of slopes −4 to 0) (95% CI −6.5 to −1.5, p<0.01) in intervention compared with the comparison districts. The intervention had a positive effect on the proportion of PPH cases treated with intravenous oxytocin (difference-in-differences of slopes 5.2, 95% CI 1.4 to 8.9) (p <0.01). Conclusion The positive effect of the training intervention on PPH morbidity and case fatality suggests that the training addresses important deficits in knowledge and skills. Trial registration number PACTR201604001582128.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadhlun Alwy Al-Beity
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Andrea Pembe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Atsumi Hirose
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Jessica Morris
- International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), London, UK
| | - Sebalda Leshabari
- School of Nursing, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Gaetano Marrone
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Claudia Hanson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.,Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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