A model for improving quality of care in maternal health facilities in South Africa
Magqadiyane, Sithembele
Reducing maternal mortality ratios (MMRs) and neonatal mortality ratios (NMRs) remains
a priority for improving the quality of care in various parts of the world, particularly in
developing nations like South Africa. There has been no victory in reducing MMRs and
NMRs in different models that were developed, tried, and tested. The study intended to
develop a model for improving the quality of care in maternal health facilities in South
Africa.
The study was conducted in a selected public hospital in Libode in the Eastern Cape
province. A purposive sample of fifteen women, five doctors and fifteen midwives was
used to conduct in-depth face-to-face individual interviews. Colaizzi’s seven-step analysis
framework was used to transcribe, code, and then extract and analyse key themes from
the collected data.
The main study findings revealed that obstacles to receiving prompt, adequate and quality
of care were common problems encountered in a maternal health facility. Both direct and
indirect as well as possible contributing factors to poor quality maternal and newborn care
were also revealed. These practices increase the risk of maternal and related perinatal
deaths.
The study findings informed the development of a model for improving quality of care to
advance health outcomes in women and newborns in the maternal health facilities in
South Africa. The study findings further recommend the proposed model as an initiative
to improve the quality of care in health care facilities and reduce maternal and neonatal
deaths in the Eastern Cape province.
↧