NEONATAL SURVIVAL IN RURAL GHANA: UNDERSTANDING THE DETERMINANTS OF NEONATAL MORTALITY AND MOTHERS HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOURS FOR THEIR NEWBORNS.
Study aim and objectives
General aim
The general aim of this study is to evaluate the magnitude and determinants of neonatal mortality and mothers’ health seeking behaviour for their newborns in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
Objectives
1. Describe the context and determinants of neonatal mortality in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
2. Evaluate the determinants of home deliveries in Upper East Region
3. Describe women’s perspective and experiences of using antenatal care, postnatal care and the rationale of their choice of place of delivery
4. Identify beliefs and practices which impact on newborn’s…show more content… There are many factors, e.g. cultural, social, religious and financial which influence the health seeking behavior of parents.
2. Health care workers are not confident to manage sick neonates.
Study Paper 2: Assessment of health facilities for neonatal services
Goal: Assessment of existing capacity of health care facility available at primary and secondary level by identification of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) for the health care facility. This would help in strengthening and if necessary reforming the health system for efficient delivery of health care services to the community thereby leading to significant reduction of neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Objectives
1. To assess the existing facilities (Govt. and Private mix) available at various levels of health care system
2. To assess the health facility for high-risk pregnant mothers and neonates
3. To suggest key action points for managers and service providers at different levels
Methodology
A cross sectional survey of existing facilities was undertaken at 10 study sites. Service delivery data was also procured from the medical records available at sub-centers, PHCs, Rural Hospitals, District Hospitals, Teaching Hospitals and private practitioners.…show more content… PHCs are grossly deficient for newborn care.
• Essential newborn care equipment was available in the majority of DHCs but CHCs and PHCs are not adequately equipped.
• Essential drugs and supplies are available in most of the DHCs
• DHs had a pediatrician compared to one-third of the CHCs. Staff nurses for essential newborn care functions were available in almost all DHC and CHCs and one-half of the PHCs.
• The doctors posted at DHs were more skilled compared to those posted at CHCs and PHCs, Doctors who had postgraduate qualifications in pediatrics had better knowledge and skills in essential newborn care.
• No DH reported offering referral services since all facilities reported providing complete essential newborn care services. The transport for referral of patients to a higher-level health facility was available in a large number of the CHCs and approximately half of the PHCs.
• Poor implementation of the program was cited as the main reason for poor performance of the program by most of the policy planners and state level program managers. Inadequate funds to upgrade existing infrastructure was another reason given for the state of newborn care