The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41824

Pamela L. Bolton, MHS¹, Ellen Brazier, MA², Ellen M. Themmen, MHS¹, and Michelle Trombley, BA³. (1) Africa Program, Family Care International, 588 Broadway, Suite 503, New York City, NY 10012, (2) Anglophone Africa Program, Family Care International, 508 Broadway, Suite 503, New York, NY 10025, (3) Skilled Care Initiative, Family Care International, 588 Broadway, Suite 503, New York City, NY 10012, (212) 941-5300, pbolton@familycareintl.org

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: To identify the components of assessing facility-level capacity for provision of obstetric services. PROJECT: The single most effective way to reduce maternal death is to ensure that a health professional with the skills to conduct a safe delivery and manage complications is present during childbirth. Family Care International (FCI) has launched the Skilled Care Initiative (SCI) to improve the quality of delivery services and increase their availability and utilization in three African countries. As a part of a focused strategy of advocacy, training, strengthening local capacity, and community mobilization, FCI developed an improved methodology for assessing district-level capacity for skilled care. The resulting set of eleven evaluation instruments integrates elements of tools previously developed by FCI, WHO, the Population Council and UNICEF. SETTING: The tools were developed for use in rural districts in Kenya (Homa Bay, Migori), Tanzania (Igunga) and Burkina Faso (Ouargaye). RESULTS: Initial baseline assessments of health facilities in intervention and comparison sites have been completed in all three project countries. Preliminary data from the intervention district in Burkina Faso have been analyzed. CONCLUSION: This integrated product extends and improves upon existing tools to assess quality and availability of maternity care in low-resource settings.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participants in this session will be able to identify the components of assessing facility-level capacity for provision of obstetric services.

Keywords: Evaluation, Maternal Health

Related Web page: www.familycareintl.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Family Care International; Ministries of Health in Kenya, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.