Listening to their voices: understanding rural women’s perceptions of good delivery care at the Mibilizi District Hospital in Rwanda

Background: Poor quality maternity care may lead to increased maternal dissatisfaction, and subsequent decreased utilization of health services or both. In a responsive health system, determining suitable delivery care, in the mother’s opinion, may lead to an improved quality of services and the mother’s satisfaction. In Rwanda, there is still limited knowledge and inadequate research regarding patient satisfaction and preferences, especially for women’s perceptions and needs during childbirth. This study captures rural women’s perception of good delivery care to understand aspects of care they consider important during childbirth. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in the Mibilizi District Hospital catchment area located 350 km from the capital, Kigali, in the Western Province of Rwanda. It includes 25 in-depth interviews with purposively sampled rural mothers who had delivered in the hospital and five hospital midwives. Content analysis was performed manually. Results: With regard to interpersonal relations at the health facility, the women agreed on the need for respectful treatment in areas of sufficient privacy and had distinct preferences for the gender of the birth attendant, or husband’s presence during delivery. The women make a great effort to deliver in a health care facility and therefore, they expect to be assisted in a professional and safe manner. These expectations can be met on a personal level, but at times are counteracted by structural deficiencies and staff shortages. Conclusions: In gathering rural women’s perceptions of good delivery care, this study reveals what mothers in remote areas in Rwanda consider important during child birth. The women’s expectations, suggestions, and needs can enhance providers’ awareness of the women’s priorities during childbirth and serve as a guidepost for health services to increase the quality, acceptability and uptake of maternal health services

Food beliefs and practices during pregnancy in Northern Ghana: Implications for nutrition counseling

Cultural practices and beliefs are important factors that could influence a woman’s dietary choices during pregnancy. We investigated food beliefs among pregnant women in Northern Ghana. In-depth interviews were conducted with thirty women, selected from three districts. We describe food beliefs regarding ‘recommended’ and ‘prohibited’ foods during pregnancy. There was a general agreement among participants about the recommended foods but not on the prohibited foods. For example, for some banana was regarded as prohibited, while for others it was recommended. Hypersensitivity to smell was attributed to nausea, vomiting and spiting and was largely the most important factor that could modify dietary habits of those who experienced it. Pregnancy is a sensitive phase and thus requires critical care and attention. Therefore, individualized counseling during antenatal clinics instead of the ongoing mass education is recommended as this will help address conditions peculiar to individual pregnancies

Evaluation of the reporting completeness and timeliness of the integrated disease surveillance and response system in northern Ghana

Objectives: The integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) and district health information management system II (DHIMS2) strategies were implemented in 2002 and 2012 respectively to improve surveillance data reporting and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reporting completeness and timeliness of the IDSR system at the sub-national level in northern Ghana.Methods: This was an observational study in Upper East Region (UER). Weekly and monthly disease surveillance reports on completeness and timeliness were downloaded and analysed for 2012 and 2013 from the DHIMS2 in UER, the two Kassena-Nankana districts and their nine health facilities representing public, private and mission providers. Comparison of paper-based and DHIMS2 reporting from the periphery health facilities were assessed.Results: IDSR monthly reporting completeness and timeliness in UER increased by 9% and 37% respectively in 2013 compared to 2012 and weekly completeness and timeliness improved by 79% and 24% respectively in 2013. Similar reporting increases were seen in the districts and health facilities over the same period, except the Kassena-Nankana Municipal which showed decrease of 2% in monthly completeness for 2013. At the health facilities, the paper-based reporting completeness was 96% and timeliness 45% while DHIMS2 completeness was 83% and timeliness 18% in 2012. However, DHIMS2 reporting completeness and timeliness improved in 2013 reaching 100% and 61% respectively.Conclusions: Disease surveillance reporting through DHIMS2 became more complete over time, but there remain problems with timeliness. Surveillance data need to be timely to enable rapid responses to disease outbreaks.Keywords: disease surveillance, completeness, timeliness, health information system, Ghan

The integrated disease surveillance and response system in northern Ghana: challenges to the core and support functions

Background: The integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) strategy was adopted in Ghana over a decade ago, yet gaps still remain in its proper functioning. The objective of this study was to assess the core and support functions of the IDSR system at the periphery level of the health system in northern Ghana. Methods: A qualitative study has been conducted among 18 key informants in two districts of Upper East Region. The respondents were from 9 health facilities considered representative of the health system (public, private and mission). A semi-structured questionnaire with focus on core and support functions (e.g. case detection, confirmation, reporting, analysis, investigation, response, training, supervision and resources) of the IDSR system was administered to the respondents. The responses were recorded according to specific themes. Results: The majority (7/9) of health facilities had designated disease surveillance officers. Some informants were of the opinion that the core and support functions of the IDSR system had improved over time. In particular, mobile phone reporting was mentioned to have made IDSR report submission easier. However, none of the health facilities had copies of the IDSR Technical Guidelines for standard case definitions, laboratories were ill-equipped, supervision was largely absent and feedback occurred rather irregular. Informants also reported, that the community perceived diagnostic testing at the health facilities to be unreliable (e.g. tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus). In addition, disease surveillance activities were of low priority for nurses, doctors, administrators and laboratory workers. Conclusions: Although the IDSR system was associated with some benefits to the system such as reporting and accessibility of surveillance reports, there remain major challenges to the functioning and the quality of IDSR in Ghana. Disease surveillance needs to be much strengthened in West Africa to cope with outbreaks such as the recent Ebola epidemic

What Do Core Obligations under the Right to Health Bring to Universal Health Coverage?

Can the right to health, and particularly the core obligations of states specified under this right, assist in formulating and implementing universal health coverage (UHC), now included in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals? In this paper, we examine how core obligations under the right to health could lead to a version of UHC that is likely to advance equity and rights. We first address the affinity between the right to health and UHC as evinced through changing definitions of UHC and the health domains that UHC explicitly covers. We then engage with relevant interpretations of the right to health, including core obligations. We turn to analyze what core obligations might bring to UHC, particularly in defining what and who is covered. Finally, we acknowledge some of the risks associated with both UHC and core obligations and consider potential avenues for mitigating these risks

Different delivery mechanisms for insecticide-treated nets in rural Burkina Faso: a provider's perspective

Background: Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have been confirmed to be a very effective tool in malaria control. Two different delivery strategies for roll-out of ITN programmes have been the focus of debate in the last years: free distribution and distribution through commercial marketing systems. They are now seen as complementary rather than opponent. Acceptance of these programmes by the community and involved providers is an important aspect influencing their sustainability. This paper looks at how providers perceived, understood and accepted two interventions involving two different delivery strategies (subsidized sales supported by social marketing and free distribution to pregnant women attending antenatal care services). Methods: The interventions took place in one province of north-western Burkina Faso in 2006 in the frame of a large randomized controlled ITN intervention study. For this descriptive qualitative study data were collected through focus group discussions and individual interviews. A total of four focus group discussions and eleven individual interviews have been conducted with the providers of the study interventions. Results: The free distribution intervention was well accepted and perceived as running well. The health care staff had a positive and beneficial view of the intervention and did not feel overwhelmed by the additional workload. The social marketing intervention was also seen as positive by the rural shopkeepers. However, working in market economy, shopkeepers feared the risk of unsold ITNs, due to the low demand and capacity to pay for the product in the community. Conclusion: The combination of ITN free distribution and social marketing was in general well accepted by the different providers. However, low purchasing power of clients and the resulting financial insecurities of shopkeepers remain a challenge to ITN social marketing in rural SSA

Pathways to care of patients with mental health problems in Bangladesh

Background: Health systems in Bangladesh are not fully organized to provide optimal care services to patients with mental health problems. There is both a lack of resources and a disproportional distribution of the available resources. To design an equitable health system and plan interventions to improve access to care, a better understanding of mental health care-seeking behavior and care pathways are crucial. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a mixed-method design at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), in Bangladesh. A total of 40 patients (or their attendants) visiting the outpatient department of NIMH were selected by purposive sampling. Results: As their first contact point for care services, 27.5% of the patients consulted a psychiatric care provider, 30% went to non-medical provider, and the majority, 42.5%, went to non-psychiatric medical care providers. Only 32.5% of the patients had been advised to go to NIMH by a private physician, hospital personnel or psychiatrist. Among all individual categories of providers, private psychiatrists were the most frequent caregivers (n = 12), followed by traditional healers (n = 9). A total of 70% of the patients had chosen a provider within 20 km. In three out of four of the cases, the family had decided on the first provider. From the start of the symptoms the median delay in the first contact with any provider was 6 months, and in reaching any psychiatric care provider was 1 year. The most common reasons for a delay in seeking care were a lack of knowledge about mental health problems, a lack of information about the place for appropriate care, and not considering the problem as serious enough to seek care. Each of those reasons were mentioned by one in every four respondents. Conclusions: The majority of the patients with mental health problems in Bangladesh access various categories of providers before reaching a psychiatric care provider, and use a diverse range of pathways and loops, which results in a delay or missing appropriate care. We hope that our findings are useful for planning interventions to improve access to mental health care in general, in Bangladesh, and improving referral policies and structures in particular

Malaria in rural Burkina Faso: local illness concepts, patterns of traditional treatment and influence on health-seeking behaviour

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The literature on health care seeking behaviour in sub-Saharan Africa for children suffering from malaria is quite extensive. This literature, however, is predominately quantitative and, inevitably, fails to explore how the local concepts of illness may affect people's choices. Understanding local concepts of illness and their influence on health care-seeking behaviour can complement existing knowledge and lead to the development of more effective malaria control interventions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a rural area of Burkina Faso, four local concepts of illness resembling the biomedical picture of malaria were described according to symptoms, aetiology, and treatment. Data were collected through eight focus group discussions, 17 semi-structured interviews with key informants, and through the analysis of 100 verbal autopsy questionnaires of children under-five diagnosed with malaria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Sumaya, dusukun yelema, kono</it>, and <it>djoliban </it>were identified as the four main local illness concepts resembling respectively uncomplicated malaria, respiratory distress syndrome, cerebral malaria, and severe anaemia. The local disease categorization was found to affect both treatment and provider choice. While <it>sumaya </it>is usually treated by a mix of traditional and modern methods, <it>dusukun yelema </it>and <it>kono </it>are preferably treated by traditional healers, and <it>djoliban </it>is preferably treated in modern health facilities. Besides the conceptualization of illness, poverty was found to be another important influencing factor of health care-seeking behaviour.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The findings complement previous evidence on health care-seeking behaviour, by showing how local concepts of illness strongly influence treatment and choice of provider. Local concepts of illness need to be considered when developing specific malaria control programmes.</p

Synergies and tensions between universal health coverage and global health security: why we need a second 'Maximizing Positive Synergies' initiative.

This article was published in the BMC Infectious Diseases [© 2017 BMC Infectious Diseases] and the definite version is available at : https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2016-000217 . The Journal's website is at: http://gh.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000217Publishe

Kenya’s Health in All Policies strategy: a policy analysis using Kingdon’s multiple streams

Background: Health in All Policies (HiAP) is an intersectoral approach that facilitates decision-making among policy-makers to maximise positive health impacts of other public policies. Kenya, as a member of WHO, has committed to adopting HiAP, which has been included in the Kenya Health Policy for the period 2014–2030. This study aims to assess the extent to which this commitment is being translated into the process of governmental policy-making and supported by international development partners as well as non-state actors. Methods: To examine HiAP in Kenya, a qualitative case study was performed, including a review of relevant policy documents. Furthermore, 40 key informants with diverse backgrounds (government, UN agencies, development agencies, civil society) were interviewed. Analysis was carried out using the main dimensions of Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Approach (problems, policy, politics). Results: Kenya is facing major health challenges that are influenced by various social determinants, but the implementation of intersectoral action focusing on health promotion is still arbitrary. On the policy level, little is known about HiAP in other government ministries. Many health-related collaborations exist under the concept of intersectoral collaboration, which is prominent in the country’s development framework – Vision 2030 – but with no specific reference to HiAP. Under the political stream, the study highlights that political commitment from the highest office would facilitate mainstreaming the HiAP strategy, e.g. by setting up a department under the President’s Office. The budgeting process and planning for the Sustainable Development Goals were found to be potential windows of opportunity. Conclusion: While HiAP is being adopted as policy in Kenya, it is still perceived by many stakeholders as the business of the health sector, rather than a policy for the whole government and beyond. Kenya’s Vision 2030 should use HiAP to foster progress in all sectors with health promotion as an explicit goal