Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: July | Volume: 7 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 226-235
A Maternal and Child Health Programme Evaluation
Tinashe Kureya1, C. Munodawafa1, Maxwell Mhlanga2, Augustine Ndaimani2
1Africa University, Faculty of Health Sciences
2University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Zimbabwe
Corresponding Author: Maxwell Mhlanga
ABSTRACT
While the global maternal mortality ratio declined by 45% in 13 years from 1990 to 2013, Zimbabwe recorded marginal decline in the indicator. Zimbabwe recorded an increase in maternal mortality between 1990 and 2010 from 450 per 100 000 to 960 per 100 000. However, the figure dropped to 651 per 100 000 in 2015. This study sought to evaluate the maternal and neonatal child health programme in a rural province in Zimbabwe. The community study setting used a community care group approach in health care. A concurrent multi-method research design was used through a cross-sectional survey, record reviews and key informant interviews. Permission to carry out the study was obtained from Plan Zimbabwe and the Provincial Medical Director through the District Medical Officer, Chipinge District. Informed consent was obtained from participants before data collection. Data was collected through structured questionnaires from 75 participants. Qualitative data was obtained through key informant interviews of Maternal and neonatal health stakeholders. Among participants, 86% recalled having had malaria chemoprophylaxis and 67% recalled having had at least one blood pressure check during pregnancy. On the other hand 83.3% recalled at least 2 danger signs in pregnancy. While 85% had fulfilled 4 antenatal visits according to focused antenatal care, only 38% exclusively breastfed their babies for 6 months. The community care group approach is associated with increased knowledge and utilization of health resources.
Key words: Community care group, maternal, neonatal and child health, programme evaluation, Zimbabwe