Online Program

332391
Patient Perceptions of Midwifery Care, Debre Markos Ethiopia


Monday, November 2, 2015

Sarah Jane Holcombe, PhD, MPPM, MPH, Bixby Center for Population, Health and Sustainability, University of California, Berkeley, San Francisco, CA
Sahai Burrowes, PHD, MALD, Public Health Program, Touro University, California, Vallejo, CA, Vallejo, CA
Danielle Niculescu, MPHc, Public Health Program, Touro University California, Mare Island, Vallejo, CA
Dube Jara, MPH, Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Background:As in much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Ethiopia has persistently high levels of maternal mortality (676 deaths/100,000 live births) and low levels of skilled birth attendance at delivery (<15%). There is increasing recognition that one of the reasons women are reluctant to use maternal health services is poor service quality, and in particular fears of provider mistreatment. This qualitative research project studies patient’s perceptions of the quality of midwifery care and experiences of disrespect and abuse in maternal and child health services.

Methodology:This retrospective pilot study is conducted in Debre Markos town, in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. We conduct 25 in-depth interviews with women who have given birth within the last 6-12 months at health facilities (~20) or at home (~5). Women are recruited at local clinics or through health extension workers. Interview questions cover provider-patient interactions, factors associated with patient satisfaction, experiences of mistreatment while receiving care and patient’s beliefs about how services should be delivered. Data are triangulated with information from interviews with third-year midwifery students and local midwives.

Findings: Forthcoming:  interviews are being conducted in February and March 2015.

Implications: Results will inform the construction of the next National Census of Ethiopian Midwives, and in turn can help strengthen Ethiopian midwives’ training and provision of respectful patient-centered care.

Learning Areas:

Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the relationship between maternal mortality and skilled birth attendance in low-income settings Asses Ethiopian women’s experiences of treatment by midwives during labor and delivery Identify the factors associated with women’s perception of receiving quality midwifery care Discuss women’s perceptions of and attitudes towards midwives and facility-based delivery of maternal health services in contrast to home delivery

Keyword(s): Patient-Centered Care, Maternal and Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am one of the principal investigators for this project and have over 10 years of experience designing, managing, and assessing HIV/AIDS and reproductive health programs in sub-Saharan Africa. I currently coordinate Ethiopian global health field study research projects for MPH students at Touro University, where I am an assistant professor. My research involves studying the sub-national financing and national policy-making processes of global health interventions in sub-Saharan Africa.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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