Access to Maternal Health Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences of Indigent Mothers and Health Care Providers in Kilifi County, Kenya
COVID-19 has spread rapidly in Kenya and has not spared pregnant women. Evidence from Kenya shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems have been either stressed to their maximum capacity or are becoming overwhelmed. However, the population is advised not to attend hospital unless strictly necessary, and this advice seems to apply to all, […]
Beyond the numbers of maternal near-miss in Rwanda – a qualitative study on women’s perspectives on access and experiences of care in early and late stage of pregnancy
Background: Rwanda has made remarkable progress in decreasing the number of maternal deaths, yet women still face morbidities and mortalities during pregnancy. We explored care-seeking and experiences of maternity care among women who suffered a near-miss event during either the early or late stage of pregnancy, and identified potential health system limitations or barriers to […]
Narratives of women using a 24-hour ride-hailing transport system to increase access and utilization of maternal and newborn health services in rural western Kenya: A qualitative study
Between 1990 and 2015, Kenya had a 0.9% annual reduction in maternal mortality, one of the lowest reductions globally. This slow decline was linked to the relatively low utilization of delivery services. We designed a mobile phone–enhanced 24-hour transport navigation system coupled with personalized and interactive gestation-based text messages (MAccess) to address maternal child health […]
Improving maternal healthcare utilisation in sub-Saharan Africa through micro-finance
Purpose: This paper aims to examine links between women’s access to micro-finance and how they use maternal healthcare services in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Design/methodology/approach: The authors use theoretical and empirical literature to propose a framework to sustain and improve women’s access to maternal healthcare services through micro-financing. Findings: It is found that improved access to […]
Barriers to Access of Maternity Care in Kenya: A Social Perspective
Objective: In response to high maternal mortality rates, the global community has rallied to improve the state of maternal health worldwide. However, progress towards the fifth Millennium Development Goal, “Improve Maternal Health,” has been disappointingly slow. There is a pressing need to address the factors that contribute to maternal mortality, one of which is access […]
Realizing women´s right to maternal health: A study of awareness of rights and utilization of maternal health services among reproductive age women in two rural districts in Tanzania
Background Maternal mortality rates are still unacceptably high in many countries, indicating violation of women´s human right to life and health. Access to adequate information about maternal health rights and available services are essential aspects of realizing women´s right to accessible health care. This study aimed at assessing awareness of the right to access maternal […]
Emergency obstetrical complications in a rural african setting (kayes, mali): The link between travel time and in-hospital maternal mortality
The West African country of Mali implemented referral systems to increase spatial access to emergency obstetrical care and lower maternal mortality. We test the hypothesis that spatial access- proxied by travel time during the rainy and dry seasons- is associated with in-hospital maternal mortality. Effect modification by caesarean section is explored. All women treated for […]
Joyce Banda and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf–confronting the neglect of maternal health and women’s rights in Malawi and Liberia
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the majority of maternal deaths in the world. The death of girls and women during childbirth as a result of pregnancy-related complications, or maternal deaths is termed unwanted or avoidable deaths due to the fact that we have the medical expertise to deal with them. A major factor that pushes up […]
Health system weaknesses constrain access to PMTCT and maternal HIV services in South Africa: A qualitative enquiry
Background: HIV remains responsible for an estimated 40% of mortality in South African pregnant women and their children. To address these avoidable deaths, eligibility criteria for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pregnant women were revised in 2010 to enhance ART coverage. With greater availability of HIV services in public health settings and increasing government attention to […]
Incremental cost of increasing access to maternal health care services: Perspectives from a demand and supply side intervention in Eastern Uganda
Introduction: High maternal and infant mortality continue to be major challenges to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals for many low and middle-income countries. There is now evidence that voucher initiatives can increase access to maternal health services. However, a dearth of knowledge exists on the cost implications of voucher schemes. This paper estimates […]
