Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Maternal attendance'

The relationship between parent and child is one of the most important and most studied of all human relationships. The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare first-time fathers’ attendance at an entire series of prepared childbirth classes and presence at the delivery with father-infant acquaintance/attachment at three to four months post-birth. First-time fathers living with the infant’s mother were asked to complete the How I Feel About My Baby Now scale and a demographic survey. Two groups of fathers were compared. The first group attended classes, and the other group did not attend classes. Results of a statistical analysis utilizing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and one way ANOVA indicated that fathers who attended the classes felt significantly more angry at their babies than those who did not, and that fathers in the group under 30 years of age felt more playful toward their babies than those over thirty years.

Thesis advisor: Shanta Pandey
A growing body of literature, particularly from low and middle-income countries, has focused on the role of male involvement in maternal care as a crucial strategy to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The purpose of this three-paper dissertation is to add to this evidence base within the context of India, and to gain an in-depth understanding of one aspect of male involvement – that is, male partner attendance in antenatal care. This dissertation utilized data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3, 2005-06 and NFHS-4, 2015-16) and was framed using the Social Ecological Model, Connell’s Theory of Gender and Power and a Gender-Transformative lens. Paper 1 summarized the levels of male partner attendance in antenatal care and assessed changes over time. Further, multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the factors influencing male partner attendance in antenatal care. The results show an overall increase in male partner attendance in India during the period of 2005-06 to 2015-16, with the Southern region reporting the highest level of male partner attendance in both years. Higher level of education and household wealth, increased knowledge of pregnancy-related complications, older age at marriage, and women’s autonomy were positively associated with male partner attendance in antenatal care. Paper 2 examined the association between male partner attendance in antenatal care and maternal health service utilization. Controlling for all socio-demographic variables and adjusting for report of pregnancy complications, the results showed that women who were accompanied by a male partner for antenatal care reported increased odds of maternal health service utilization (early initiation of antenatal care, frequency of antenatal care contacts and institutional delivery). While the place of residence (rural/urban) did not influence the association between male partner attendance and maternal health service utilization, region had a significant moderating effect. Paper 3 examined the association between antenatal care and infant birth weight, adjusting for gestational age. Further, the analysis also assessed whether the relationship between antenatal care and infant birth weight varied by male partner attendance. Findings indicate that early initiation of antenatal care and maternal immunization was associated with reduced odds of low birth weight among infants. The results showed that male partner attendance in antenatal care did not have a moderating influence. Taken together, the findings of the three papers have implications for policy and practice; further, they provide support for interventions that aim for a more inclusive and gender-transformative approach to maternal and neonatal health
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2021
Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Social Work
Discipline: Social work

Created in 1965, Head Start is the longest running national school readiness program in the United States. Head Start was developed to improve children's social and academic readiness for kindergarten and to reduce the academic achievement gap between impoverished and more affluent children. However, questions about the effectiveness of Head Start have trouble the program since its inception. Head Start children often experience considerably more sociocontextual risk, specifically in the form of more economic disadvantage, maternal psychological distress, and dangerous neighborhoods. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the extent to which attending Head Start buffers children from some of the harmful effects of sociocontextual risk on their acquisition of academic and social school readiness skills. Socio-contextual risk factors were largely unrelated to the school readiness skills. Only mothers' reports of anxiety were significantly associated with slower rates of increase in children's PPVT scores, suggesting that mothers who are more anxious have children who are not developing receptive vocabulary scores as quickly as children whose mothers have fewer anxiety symptoms. Head Start did not buffer the impact of socio-contextual risk on children's attainment of school readiness skills. A secondary goal of the present study was to validate mothers' reports of neighborhood danger with interviewer impressions of neighborhood safety and objective crime reports. Interviewer impressions correlated significantly with mothers' reports of neighborhood danger and official crime statistics. Interestingly, official crime statistics were not correlated with mothers' reports of neighborhood danger, but were correlated with interviewer impressions. Interviewers may provide a valuable objective perspective of characteristics of the neighborhood. This sample was not intended to explore the effects of natural disasters on household structures, maternal psychopathology, or children's academic development. However, results clearly highlighted the need to empirically consider the specific challenges associated with lowincome families after a natural disaster. Study implications and promising directions for future research are discussed.

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in Ethiopia remains one of the highest in the world due in part to very limited use of maternal health services. However, the underlying factors for limited use of the services and hence the high MMR are not well known. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with use of maternal health services and maternal health risks, to analyze inequity patterns between use of maternal health services and maternal health risks, and to measure the magnitude and trends in inequity. Behavioral-cultural and structural theories of health inequalities were used to frame the study. Research questions included whether there were trends of inequity in use of maternal health services, if sociodemographic characteristics were associated with use of the services, and whether inequities in use of the services were associated with maternal health risks. The study design was quantitative and used data collected through Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 2000, 2005, and 2011. DHS had employed stratified 2-stage cluster design; this analysis used logistic regression method, odds ratio chi-square test, and correlation measures. The findings indicated statistically significant inequities on use of antenatal care and skilled birth attendant services associated with women's residence, level of education, income, administrative region, distance to a health facility, out-of-pocket payment for health services, and involvement in decision making. Based on the findings, it is recommended to design maternal health policies and programs that improve access and use of the services, specifically for women in rural areas, with no education and with limited economic capacity. Further research is also recommended for regions where sample size was limited. Maternal health policies and programs designed to reach the most disadvantaged women could increase service use and improve maternal health, leading to positive social change.

Although Skilled Birth Attendance has been universally acknowledged as essential to progress in the field of maternal health (WHO, 2004), Human Resources for Health (HRH) deficits are currently impeding the sustainability of essential maternal health interventions on a global scale. Over the past 30 years, the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), along with other agencies such as non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations, have developed a self-contained health system, which provides health services, including maternity care, to migrants and refugees at the Thailand-Myanmar Border. The staff necessary to the provision of care in SMRU’s clinics are mostly recruited from within the migrant and refugee populations, and trained internally by SMRU. In the last decade, SMRU has experienced high-turnover rates and shortages of Skilled Birth Attendants (SBA). Consequently, their current maternity workforce is characterized by an acute shortage of SBAs who have attained senior status, and a higher concentration of SBAs at the assistant and junior levels. As a response to these HRH challenges, this case study aimed to conduct a multi-level analysis of obstacles and enablers to professional development amongst Skilled Birth Attendants working for SMRU. This single descriptive case study with embedded units of analysis, which incorporated non-participant observation, a template-based personnel file review, individual interviews, and focus groups at two of SMRU’s Birthing Units, represented a unique opportunity to observe and analyze the multiple influences that interact at various levels of a relatively self-contained health system. By highlighting the obstacles and enablers present within the system, this study purposed to identify means by which to empower lower level SBAs, support their professional development, and create a more sustainable maternity workforce. The study found that SMRU has been successful in providing its SBAs with the appropriate midwifery skills to fulfill a limited scope of practice, and in fostering strong intra-professional relationships that allow the SBAs to motivate and mentor each other. Achieving workforce sustainability with a model of care that implements task-shifting requires a balance of appropriate and constructive consultation structures without enabling the stagnation of SBAs’ skills and confidence. This study also reveals the importance of context and culture to a health system’s capacity to optimally plan and implement its HRH functions. Finally, in the case of SMRU, persistent recruitment and retention concerns underscore that workforce sustainability cannot be achieved through professional development alone. Therefore, this study reveals a need for further inquiry into the complexities of maternal health workforce planning in contexts of protracted displacement, and the challenges associated with developing appropriate supervisory structures for lower level health professionals.

Magister Public Health - MPH
Although the Kenyan government implemented safe motherhood programme two decades ago, available data indicate that prevalence of home delivery is still high among women in Garissa District. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the factors influencing the choice of place of childbirth. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 224 women who delivered babies two years prior to December 2010. Using a statcalc program in Epi Info 3.3.2, with expected frequency of home delivery at 83% +5% and a 95% confidence level, the calculated sample size was 215. Furthermore, with a 95% response rate the adjusted minimum sample size was 226.There were two none-responses hence 224 women were interviewed. Stratified sampling was used. Data were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed. A binary logistic regression analysis using the Enter method was performed to determine independent predictors for use or non-use of healthcare services for childbirth. The threshold for statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: The result was presented in text and tables. The study found 67% (n=224) women delivered at home and 33% delivered in hospital. The study found low level of education, poverty, none-attendance of ANC, distance, cost of services, poor quality services, negative attitude towards midwives, experience of previous obstetric complications and decision-making to be significant predictors in home delivery at the bivariate level (p<0.05). The study did not find relationship between age, marital status, religion and place of childbirth (p>0.05). At multivariate level, the following variables were still found to be significant predictors of home delivery: no education OR=8.36 (95% CI; 4.12-17.17), no occupation OR=1.43(95% CI; 1.08–5.49) experience of obstetric complications OR=1.38 (95% CI; 1.15-2.12), none-attendance of antenatal clinic OR=1.11 (95% CI; 1.03–1.51), Rude midwives OR=5.60 (95% CI; 2.66-11.96). Conclusions: high prevalence of home delivery was noted due to lack of education, poverty and inaccessible maternity services hence the need to empower women in education and economy to enhance hospital delivery.

Magister Philosophiae - MPhil
Skilled birth attendance at childbirth is vital for decreasing maternal and child mortality in Zimbabwe. Infant mortality and maternal mortality in Zimbabwe are quite high due to low- use of skilled birth attendance. Based on different study sources, home delivery with complications are high, with many socio-economic and demographic associated factors including lack or no use of skilled birth attendance at childbirth in Zimbabwe. Therefore, the study looked at "preventive" which refers to an action taken to reduce or eliminate the probability of specific undesirable events or dangers from happening in the future and the present time in Zimbabwe. The objective of the study was to highlight the significance of the crucial function within the health systems of saving both the lives of a mother and the child. Furthermore to determine the frequent use of maternal health care services (skilled birth attendant) and identify factors affecting them. The data that was used was nationally represented large scale secondary data ZDHS of Zimbabwe with sample population n = 9,171. It was a secondary data that included all the provinces of Zimbabwe, simple random sampling was used that had questionnaires of both man, women and household questionnaires, these questionnaires helped in examining the socio-economic factors and determinants that leads to low-use of skilled birth attendants at childbirth. The prosed statistics analysis that were used were univariate, bivariate and multivariate techniques. The statistical analysis showed that demographic variables such age, place of delivery and socio-economic factors such as level of education of a mother and wealth index (occupation of a parent) and region has a significant effect on the use of skilled birth attendant during birth. Women with higher level of education were found to have high use rate of maternal health care services (Skilled birth attendants), while women with primary and secondary education were found to have high use rate of less ( traditional birth attendant) or no use of skilled birth attendant. Therefore, the female age at birth, place of delivery, level of education and wealth index played a major role in decision making about the importance of having a skilled birth attendant when giving birth. The access to skilled birth attendance was found to be a significant factor in reducing maternal and child mortality in Zimbabwe. Furthermore women need to be educated about the importance of maternal health care services use and postnatal care and the department of health in Zimbabwe can implement mobile clinics for those who are residing far from health facilities.

Despite all measures taken by the South African government since 1994, there is a contiuous increase of maternal mortality in the country and the Northwest Province is amongst the highest. Studies to date combining the review of maternal deaths and severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM) have been conducted primarily in urban areas. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of death and avoidable factors for maternal mortality and severe acute maternal morbidity in a rural regional hospital from 01/01/2005 to 30/04/2006.

Several factors may affect the choice of place of delivery among expectant mothers in Ghana and few studies have examined the choice of place of delivery with a focus on differences between rural and urban areas. In this study, the factors that influence the choice of place of delivery among expectant mothers in both rural (Tolon District) and urban (Tamale) settings in the northern part of Ghana were identified and compared using the conceptual framework provided by Thaddeus and Maine. A mixed-method study was used to examine expectant mothers and their responses related to factors that affect their choice of place of delivery through a concurrent triangulation using health professional interviews and a detailed participant survey.. The sample consisted of 552 expectant mothers between the ages of 15 and 49 years. Individual interviews were held with 8 health professionals (4 each from rural and urban areas) with a minimum of 5 years of work experience and a focus group discussion with randomly selected pregnant women and lactating mothers. Themes were generated through open coding of the interview data, while multiple regression was performed to identify the factors associated with choice of place of delivery, rural area, preference (60.1%) was for home delivery compared to 20.7% for urban participants. Statistically significant variables affecting the choice of place of delivery among study participants were found to be educational background, the experience of previous deliveries, the attitude of hospital staff toward pregnant women during labor, and frequency of accessing antenatal care. The study's implications may lead to positive change where stakeholders develop and implement policies to promote health facility delivery for expectant mothers in both rural and urban areas of Ghana.

Pregnancy and childbirth complications are a leading cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries. Worldwide data shows that, by choice or out of necessity, 60 percent of births in the developing world occur outside a health institution and 47 percent are assisted by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), family members, or without any assistance at all. This thesis argues that TBAs in India have the capacity to disseminate knowledge of beneficial maternal practices to the community. Since the 1970s the training of TBAs has been one of the primary single interventions encouraged by World Health Organisation (WHO) to address maternal mortality. However, since the 1990s international funding for TBAs has been reduced and the emphasis has shifted to providing skilled birth attendants for all births due to evidence that the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in developing countries had not reduced. Researchers have observed that the shift in policy has taken place without adequate evidence of training (in)effectiveness and without an alternative policy in place. This thesis argues further that two main types of birthing knowledge co-exist in India; western biomedicine and traditional knowledge. Feminist, anthropological, and midwifery theorists contend that when two knowledge paradigms exist, western knowledge tends to dominate and claim authority over local ways of knowing. The thesis used such theories, and quantitative and qualitative methods, to assess whether the local TBA training programmes in Ahmednagar District in India have been successful in disseminating biomedical knowledge in relation to the birthing practices of local TBAs and in incorporating local knowledge into the training. The data revealed that some biomedical knowledge had been successfully disseminated and that some traditional practices continue to be practiced in the community. There is a top-down, one-sided imposition of biomedical knowledge on TBAs in the training programme but, at the local level, TBAs and mothers sometimes follow the training instructions and sometime do not, preferring to adapt to the local perceptions and preferences of their community. The thesis reveals the significance of TBA training in the district but queries the effectiveness of not including local TBA practices into the training programmes, arguing this demonstrates the hierarchical authority of biomedicine over local traditional practices. The thesis highlights the significance of community awareness that accompanies TBA training and makes recommendations in order to enhance training outcomes.

Pregnancy and childbirth complications are a leading cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries. Worldwide data shows that, by choice or out of necessity, 60 percent of births in the developing world occur outside a health institution and 47 percent are assisted by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), family members, or without any assistance at all. This thesis argues that TBAs in India have the capacity to disseminate knowledge of beneficial maternal practices to the community. Since the 1970s the training of TBAs has been one of the primary single interventions encouraged by World Health Organisation (WHO) to address maternal mortality. However, since the 1990s international funding for TBAs has been reduced and the emphasis has shifted to providing skilled birth attendants for all births due to evidence that the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in developing countries had not reduced. Researchers have observed that the shift in policy has taken place without adequate evidence of training (in)effectiveness and without an alternative policy in place. This thesis argues further that two main types of birthing knowledge co-exist in India; western biomedicine and traditional knowledge. Feminist, anthropological, and midwifery theorists contend that when two knowledge paradigms exist, western knowledge tends to dominate and claim authority over local ways of knowing. The thesis used such theories, and quantitative and qualitative methods, to assess whether the local TBA training programmes in Ahmednagar District in India have been successful in disseminating biomedical knowledge in relation to the birthing practices of local TBAs and in incorporating local knowledge into the training. The data revealed that some biomedical knowledge had been successfully disseminated and that some traditional practices continue to be practiced in the community. There is a top-down, one-sided imposition of biomedical knowledge on TBAs in the training programme but, at the local level, TBAs and mothers sometimes follow the training instructions and sometime do not, preferring to adapt to the local perceptions and preferences of their community. The thesis reveals the significance of TBA training in the district but queries the effectiveness of not including local TBA practices into the training programmes, arguing this demonstrates the hierarchical authority of biomedicine over local traditional practices. The thesis highlights the significance of community awareness that accompanies TBA training and makes recommendations in order to enhance training outcomes.

Maternal mortality is a global health concern but inequalities in utilization of maternal health care are not clearly understood. Severe morbidity (near-miss) is receiving increased attention due to methodological difficulties in maternal mortality studies. The present thesis seeks to increase understanding of factors that impede utilization of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) in Bolivia and Guatemala. Studies I and IV employed qualitative interviews to explore the role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and the care-seeking behaviour of women who arrived at hospital with a near-miss complication. Studies II–III documented maternal mortality and near-miss morbidity at the hospital level and investigated the influence of socio-demographic factors and antenatal care (ANC) on near-miss upon arrival. The studies identified unfamiliarity with EmOC among TBAs and a lack of collaboration with formal care providers. A perception of being dissociated from the health care system and a mistrust of health care providers was common among near-miss women from disadvantaged social backgrounds. In the Bolivian setting, 187 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 50 cases of near-miss per 1000 were recorded. Causes of near-miss differed from those of maternal deaths. Most women with near-miss arrived at hospital in critical condition: severe preeclampsia, complications after childbirth at home and abortions were mostly encountered among them. Lack of ANC, low education, and rural residence were interactively associated with near-miss. ANC reduced socio-demographic differentials for near-miss. Complementing maternal mortality reviews with data on near-miss morbidity increases the understanding of priority needs and quality of maternal health care. Additionally, focusing on near-miss upon arrival was found useful in exploring pre-hospital barriers to EmOC. The findings identified subgroups of women who seemed especially vulnerable to pre-hospital barriers. They also underscored the need for initiatives to reduce the effect of social marginalization and to acknowledge the influential role of formal and informal care providers on the utilization of EmOC.
La mortalidad materna es un tema de inquietud global, sin embargo la comprensión de las desigualdades en la utilización de los servicios de salud materna es limitada. La morbilidad obstétrica severa (near-miss) está recibiendo creciente atención, producto de problemas metodológicos en los estudios de mortalidad materna. El objetivo de la presente tesis es aumentar la comprensión de factores que impiden la utilización de la atención obstétrica de emergencia en Bolivia y Guatemala. Los estudios I y IV usaron metodologías cualitativas en un esfuerzo por explorar el rol de las parteras tradicionales y las estrategias de las mujeres que arriban a los hospitales con una morbilidad obstétrica severa. Los estudios II–III documentaron la mortalidad materna y la morbilidad obstétrica severa en el marco hospitalario e investigaron el impacto de los factores socio-demográficos y el control prenatal en la llegada a los establecimientos de salud con complicaciones severas. Los estudios identificaron la falta de familiaridad con atención obstétrica de emergencia entre las parteras tradicionales y la falta de cooperación con los profesionales de salud formales. La sensación de estar distanciadas del sistema de salud y la desconfianza hacia los profesionales de la salud eran aspectos comunes entre las mujeres de sectores marginales con experiencias de complicaciones severas. En el contexto boliviano, 187 muertes maternas por cada 100,000 nacidos vivos y 50 casos de morbilidad obstétrica severa por cada 1000 fueron registradas. Las causas de la morbilidad obstétrica severa y las muertes maternas se distinguieron. La major parte de las mujeres con morbilidad obstétrica severa llegaron al hospital en condiciones críticas: preeclampsia severa, complicaciones después de partos domiciliarios y abortos eran causas más frecuentes en esta categoría. Combinaciones del bajo nivel de educación con la falta de controles prenatales o la residencia en zonas rurales fueron asociadas con la morbilidad obstétrica severa. El control prenatal redujo diferencias socio-demográficas en lo concerniente a la morbilidad obstétrica severa. La complementación de estudios de mortalidad materna con datos sobre morbilidad obstétrica severa aumenta la comprensión de las prioridades y de la calidad en la atención de la salud materna. Además, centrándose en la morbilidad obstétrica severa a la llegada al establicimiento de salud, ha sido útil para investigar las barreras pre-hospitalarias en relación a la atención de emergencia obstétrica. Los resultados permiten identificar categorías específicas de mujeres que parecen ser especialmente vulnerables a las barreras pre-hospitalarias. Los resultados, también subrayan la necesidad de iniciativas que reduzcan los efectos de la marginalización social, y que reconozcan el importante rol que tanto el personal de salud formal como informal cumplen en la utilización de los servicios de atención obstétrica de emergencia.

This thesis explores the various meanings and implications of transparency in architecture and in learning environments in particular. Architectural transparency, achieved through choice of materials and principles of formal composition, creates a diversity of relationships and can facilitate visual, conceptual, and functional clarity as well as offering simultaneous perception of different spaces. It offers a range of phenomenological qualities and so provides an opportunity to explore and complicate such dichotomies as translucency and opacity, openness and closure, and public space and private space. While celebrated throughout modern and contemporary architecture, transparency raises issues of privacy and safety even as it breaks down hierarchies and social boundaries. The research-based design of transparency in a school building necessitates careful planning to achieve a balance between the access to views, natural light, fresh air, and social interaction that transparency may bring and the continuing obligation to provide a safe, secure environment for schoolchildren.

Attendance at Neonatal Follow-up (NFU) programs is crucial for parents to gain access to timely diagnostic expertise, psychosocial support, and referral to needed services for their infants. Although NFU programs are considered beneficial, up to 50% of parents do not attend these programs with their infants. Non-attending infants have poorer outcomes (e.g., higher rates of disabilities and less access to required services) as compared to attenders. The purpose was to determine factors that predicted attendance at NFU. Naturally occurring attendance was monitored and maternal-infant factors including predisposing, enabling, and needs factors were investigated, guided by the Socio-Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. A prospective two-phase multi-site descriptive cohort study was conducted in 3 Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units that refer to 2 NFU programs. In Phase 1, standardized questionnaires were completed by 357 mothers (66% response rate) prior to their infant’s (N= 400 infants) NICU discharge. In Phase 2, attendance patterns at NFU were followed for 12 months. Higher maternal stress at the time of the infant’s NICU hospitalization was predictive of attendance at NFU. Parenting alone, more worry about maternal alcohol or drug use, and greater distance to NFU were predictive of non-attendance at NFU. Attendance at NFU decreased over time from 84% at the first appointment to 74% by 12 months. Two distinct attendance patterns emerged: no or minimal attendance (18.5%) and attendance at all or the majority of scheduled appointments (81.5%). The most frequent point of withdrawal from NFU occurred between NICU discharge and the first scheduled appointment; followed by drop-out following the first NFU appointment. These results provide new insight into patterns of attendance and the maternal-infant factors that characterize attenders/non-attenders at NFU and serve as the critical first step in developing interventions targeted at improving attendance, infant outcomes, and reporting of developmental sequelae.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilmet of the requirement fo rthe Degree of Masters of Public Health. April 2012
Maternal health services have been receiving increasing attention internationally. The high rates of maternal and infant mortality throughout the world place a demand on health systems to prioritize maternal and child health care services. The constitution of South Africa recognizes reproductive health as a fundamental right (Republic of South Africa, 1995). However, the inability of South Africa to meet the Millennium Development Goals targets for maternal and child health increases the need for more studies to identify the reasons for a consistently high maternal mortality rate. The South African health system is based on district health system model which facilitates the delivery of primary health care and the appropriate referrals and admissions of patients. District hospitals, public and private community health centers and public primary health care clinics provide the first level of care to patients. Normal deliveries should take place at this level. Referrals are made to secondary and tertiary level of care. The maternity ward at Kuruman Hospital in the Northern Cape province of South Africa is overcrowded. There are concerns around the quality of care and over 80% of deliveries are normal, suggesting that they could take place at the primary health care clinics and community health centres in the district.

Background: The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 has renewed interest in maternal mortality reduction. Indonesia"'s maternal mortality ratio is among the highest in Southeast Asia. While skilled birth attendance (SBA) reduces the risk of maternal death, few studies have been done on SBA utilization in Indonesia using nationally representative data. This study estimated the own-price, cross-price, and income elasticities of demand for SBA in Indonesia. The effects of community and health system factors on SBA were also explored. Methods: Data from the 2004 wave of the Indonesia Family Life Survey, were used as the primary source of information. These data were supplemented with information from reports produced by the Indonesian Ministries of Health and Finance and the World Bank. The polytomous outcome variable was choice of attendance at last birth. Three estimation strategies were used to estimate the elasticities"u2014multinomial logit, multinomial probit, and an instrumental variable multinomial probit model. Statistical significance was determined at the 5% level. Results: The own-price elasticities of the facility-based delivery alternatives were between -1 and 0, indicating that demand is own-price inelastic for those alternatives. Two cross-price elasticities"u2014price of skilled home deliveries on demand for unskilled home deliveries and price of public facility deliveries on demand for skilled home deliveries"u2014indicated that women chose lower priced alternatives as the price of an alternative is increased. Increased income reduced demand for unskilled home deliveries and increased the demand for skilled home and private facility deliveries. Community and health system-level factors had small but significant effects on delivery attendance. Increases in the percentage of women in the community with SBA were associated with higher likelihood of using skilled delivery alternatives over unskilled home deliveries. Health worker density increased likelihood of choosing public facility deliveries over unskilled home deliveries. Finally, government health expenditure was positively associated with choosing skilled home and public facility deliveries over unskilled home deliveries, but was negatively associated with choosing private facility over unskilled home deliveries. Discussion: The elasticities revealed that women substituted for lower-priced alternatives as the price of an alternative increased and that they increased utilization of skilled delivery alternatives as household income increased. These findings can be interpreted as evidence that price is still a barrier to accessing SBA in Indonesia. The findings from the community and health system-level variables suggest extra-individual characteristics also affect individual decision-making on choice of delivery attendance.
1
Rieza Hawarina Soelaeman

Increasing adverse birth outcome are a major concern in South African maternal care and globally In South Africa, perinatal mortality rate of 40/1000 and maternal mortality ratio of 150/100 000 are poor considering the fact that 95.1 percent of women attend antenatal care and 83.7 percent of women deliver in a medical facility. This study focuses on the effect of lack of adequate antenatal care on adverse birth outcome using data from the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey. The analysis is based on univariate and bivariate analysis to examine the effect of socio- demographic characteristics on adverse birth outcomes. In addition, binary logistic regression is used to examine the impact of antenatal and sociodemographic characteristics on adverse birth outcome. The results show majority of women reporting adverse birth outcome are those who delivered though caesarean section (53 percent) and that most of these women are likely to be educated and have better socio economic status and that they are likely to be Non African. It is also shows that the proportion of women attending antenatal care adequately is very high in South Africa. The results show that the use of antenatal care is determined by a range of socio demographic factors including the level of education and the economic status of the mother. Only timing of antenatal care, place of delivery and race had a significant effect on adverse birth outcome. All other variables were not significant. Results from the binary regression analysis show that women who started their antenatal care during second and third trimester (95%CI: 0.211-0.975), were Non African (95%CI: 1.082 to 2.098) and delivered in a private health facilities (95%CI: 0.28 to 0.73) were more likely to have adverse birth outcome compared to their counterparts. Most women choosing caesarean section do so without adequate information on the disadvantages of delivering through caesarean section. Therefore, there is a need to focus maternal health education to all women in South Africa regardless of their socio- economic status background
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing skilled delivery service utilisation in order to develop strategies to improve utilisation of skilled birth attendance service in North West Ethiopia. The objectives were to explore and describe the perceptions and experiences of the community regarding skilled utilisation of the birth attendance service; explore reasons for non-utilisation of skilled birth attendance service; asses the health system experience of provision of skilled birth attendance service; and formulate strategies to improve utilisation of skilled birth attendance service. The study employed a qualitative, descriptive, and explorative research design to address the research questions formulated by the researcher. The study used focus group discussion guide to obtain information from pregnant women and women who gave birth recently. Furthermore, the study used an interview guide to gather information from health extension workers, midwives, health centre heads, district health office technical experts and heads. It also employed and inductive thematic analysis approach to analyse the qualitative data. The study further used the Atlas ti version 7 for the data analysis. The steps followed for the analysis were data immersion, coding, displaying, reduction, and interpretation. Overall, nine themes emerged from the analysis of the data. Consequently, the researcher used the findings of the study to develop strategies to improve the utilisation of skilled birth attendance service.
Health Studies
D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Problem: Zambia has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world. Risks of serious complications during childbirth and associated maternal morbidity and mortality can be mitigated by improving access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) in facilities when complications arise. In 2012, the Saving Mothers Giving Life (SMGL) initiative was launched in Kalomo District, Zambia, to reduce maternal deaths. Methods: This study assessed the impact of SMGL in Kalomo District on rates of facility delivery, delivery with a skilled birth attendant, and facility-level changes in the provision of maternity and newborn care during the first learning phase, 2012–2013. Changes in neonatal mortality were also assessed. A mixed-methods approach utilized a quasi-experimental pre-post nonequivalent comparison group design using household data (n=21,680 women) and health facility assessments (n=77) including EmONC signal functions. Data were collected from February 2011–October 2013, before and during SMGL program implementation, in the intervention district and a comparison area. A qualitative inquiry with key informants (n=26) was then conducted in September 2014. Results: There was a 49% relative increase in the odds of facility-based birth during SMGL in Kalomo relative to comparison districts (OR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.21–1.77), controlling for covariates. There was no significant change in delivery with a skilled birth attendant. Newborn mortality in Kalomo decreased significantly (4.3% to 2.6%, p<0.01), even when controlling for covariates, with no change in comparison. EmONC signal functions increased from a mean of 2.7 to 3.9 (p=0.003) per facility in Kalomo, with no change in the comparison area. Most facility-level changes related to newborn care. Informants attributed impacts primarily to community mobilization by Safe Motherhood Action Group volunteers and clinical mentorship. Conclusion: SMGL positively influenced demand for facility deliveries. Data indicate a limited measurable change in supply-side indicators of provision of intra-partum maternity care, while improving neonatal survival. Interviews suggested that mentoring existing staff might be responsible for improved care and referrals. Phase 2 should focus on strengthening human resources to increase access to skilled delivery and strategies to improve communication and transport to facilitate timely referral of emergency cases.

The Peruvian upwelling system is one of the most unpredictable but productive marine ecosystems in the world that is regularly affected by El Nino and La Nina events. As a consequence, South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) inhabiting the Peruvian coast face stochastic fluctuations in the abundance and distribution of their prey. The goal of my study was to determine the effects of marine environmental changes on the reproductive success of South American sea lions in Peru on the Ballestas Islands during the 1997-2002 breeding seasons. I also wanted to assess whether changes in diet and maternal behaviour during this time were proxies of major changes in the abundance of marine resources. South American sea lions consumed primarily anchovy and squat lobster during the 1999- 2001 La Nina, but consumed a greater diversity of prey when abundance was low during the 1997-1998 El Nino. Lactating females also modified the length of time they spent at sea and onshore in response to changes in the abundance of prey. Low abundances and quality of prey during El Nino caused females to continue foraging for longer periods. This resulted in greater times between nursing episodes, and ultimately led to the starvation of pups. In contrast, during the 1999-2001 La Nina, females spent shorter times at sea and longer times onshore as prey became more abundant. Pup production and mortality were also directly related to the abundance of prey. Pup mortality reached 100% during El Nino and remained high during the favourable conditions of La Nina due to the short-term effects that El Nino had on population dynamics and subsequent maternal behaviour. Abortions were also higher during El Nino compared to other years, while numbers of pups bom were significantly reduced during and after El Nino due to the death of a high proportion of the adult population. My study suggests that South American sea lions in Peru are highly vulnerable to extreme changes in prey abundance. It also demonstrates that sea lion reproductive parameters, maternal attendance, and diet are strongly related to marine environmental conditions and annual variations in prey abundance. As a result, South American sea lions appear to be good indicators of stochastic changes in the distribution and abundance of marine resources in the Peruvian upwelling ecosystem.
Science, Faculty of
Zoology, Department of
Graduate

New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) show pronounced inter-sexual differences in adult body size, and males will potentially mate with many females. Consequently, selection is thought to act differently upon pups during growth. Little is known about how male and female fur seal pups conserve energy, and use milk for growth especially as they fast for significant periods. There has been a plethora of studies that have viewed pinnipeds as ideal models for the differential investment theory, but the evidence remains equivocal. This study investigated a species that has shown some support for differential investment in the past, in the form of pup growth and maternal attendance behaviour, and looked at the potential that these intersexual differences are due to differential utilisation of maternal resources (different body compositions) and/or differential fasting strategies by pups, which may be determined by fasting mass loss rates. This study hopes to encompass both aspects of differential investment, such as maternal attendance, as well as differential fasting strategies of pups by looking at their fasting mass loss rates. This study found that males were larger and longer throughout the lactation period, yet grew at the same rate as females. There was no detectable intersexual difference in the maternal provisioning provided by mothers, in the form of attendance. There was some evidence that males and females have different fasting strategies, in that females, from a subset of pups exhibited significantly higher mass specific mass loss rates. This finding should be treated with caution however, as sample size was low, and cross sectional samples revealed no significant differences. Furthermore, study of the activity rates of the same pups over the duration of the fast, found no significant intersexual differences in activity rates. These results suggest that further studies are needed that encompass both aspects of differential investment theory, as well as differential utilisation by pups.

A descriptive quantitative study was undertaken in the Leribe and Butha-buthe northern districts of Lesotho. Thirty-six trained, twenty-four untrained TBAs and nine nurses involved in training TBAs were recruited. In line with research by Clarke and Lephoto (1989:3) the TBAs were elderly females who had children of their own. In contrast with the MOH (1993: 10) where TBAs were found to be illiterate, most (93%) of the TBAs in this study had at least a primary education. The art of primary midwifery was learned through assisting with a delivery and being taught by mothers or mothers-in-law. The public health nurses conduct formal training ofTBAs in Lesotho over a period of two weeks, where subjects like ante-natal care, delivery of the baby and post- natal care are addressed. The majority (78.8%) provide antenatal care at their homes or the home of the mother. This includes palpation, history taking, and abdominal massage and health education. An important role is identifying women at risk. During labour the progress of labour is monitored and care is given to the mother and baby post-natally. Trained TBAs could identify women at risk more readily than untrained TBAs. Cases referred most frequently were prolonged labour and retained placenta. Trained TBAs practiced hygiene more often and gave less herbs than untrained TBAs. The health care system is providing support to the TBAs through training and supervision, but was found to be inadequate. Community leaders are involved in the selection of TBAs for training. Regular meetings are held with the TB As to discuss problems. Communication is one of the problems the TB As have to face, because of the long distances from health care centres. A lack of infrastructure and supplies is also of concern. It can be concluded that TBAs play an important role in maternal health care in Lesotho and are supported to a lesser degree by the health care system, which causes problems for the TBAs in their practices. It is recommended that the ministry of health becomes more aware of the need for training TBAs and that a programme for training should be more appropriate, taking cultural practices into account.
Advanced Nursing Science
D.Lit. et Phil.

La vie des femmes du continent africain et de leurs enfants continue d’être mise en danger lors de chaque accouchement car les risques de décès maternels et infantiles sont encore très élevés. Il est estimé chaque année à environ le quart du million le nombre de décès maternel et de près de quatre millions celui des enfants de moins de cinq ans. La comparaison de la situation sanitaire avec d’autres contextes permet de mieux cerner l’ampleur du problème : en Afrique sub-Saharienne, le risque de décès lié à la grossesse est de l’ordre de 1 pour 31, alors qu’il n’est que de 1 pour 4300 dans les pays industrialisés. Cette situation est évitable et, le plus souvent, résulte de la sous ou non-utilisation des services de santé maternelle, du manque de structures adéquates de soins ou de personnel de santé qualifié. Notre thèse cherche à comprendre la manière dont les inégalités de genre au sein du ménage et dans la communauté renforcent les inégalités quant à l’utilisation des services de santé maternelle, ainsi qu’aux relations empiriques qui lient les différents recours aux soins. Concrètement, elle vise à 1) proposer une mesure des normes de genre favorables à la violence contre les femmes et à analyser son influence sur leur prise de décision au sein du ménage, 2) analyser simultanément l’influence de ces normes et de l’autonomie des femmes sur le recours aux soins prénatals et à l’accouchement assisté et finalement, 3) cerner l’influence des soins prénatals sur le recours à l’accouchement assisté. Chacun de ces objectifs se heurte à un problème méthodologique substantiel, soit de mesure ou de biais de sélection, auxquels l’approche par modèles d’équations structurelles que nous avons adoptée permet de remédier. Les résultats de nos analyses, présentés sous forme d’articles scientifiques, s’appuient sur les données issues des Enquêtes Démographiques et de Santé (EDS) du Ghana, du Kenya, de l’Ouganda et de la Tanzanie et concernent les femmes vivant en milieu rural. Notre premier article propose une mesure des normes de genre et, plus exactement, celles liées à la violence contre les femmes en recourant à l’approche des variables latentes. Les cinq questions des EDS relatives à l’attitude des femmes sur la légitimation de la violence ont permis de saisir cette mesure au niveau contextuel. Les résultats suggèrent d’une part que cette mesure a de bons critères de validité puisque l’Alpha de Cronbach varie de 0.85 pour le Kenya à 0.94 pour le Ghana; les chi-deux sont non significatifs partout; le RMSEA est en dessous de 0.05; le CFI supérieur à 0.96 et les saturations sont pour la plupart supérieures à 0.7 dans tous les pays. D’autre part, à l’aide du modèle d’équations structurelles multiniveaux, nous avons trouvé qu’au-delà de leur propre attitude envers la violence contre les femmes, celles qui vivent dans un milieu où les normes de genres sont plus favorables à la violence ont plus de chances d’être de faible autonomie ou sans autonomie (comparativement à forte autonomie) dans l’ensemble des pays étudiés. Le second article documente l’influence des inégalités de genre, cernées au niveau contextuel par les normes favorables à la violence contre les femmes et au niveau individuel par l’autonomie de prise de décision au sein du ménage, sur la survenue des soins prénatals au cours du premier trimestre et sur les recours à au moins 4 consultations prénatales et à l’accouchement assisté. En utilisant également les modèles d’équations structurelles multiniveaux sur les mêmes données du premier article, nous constatons que chacune de ces variables dépendantes est fortement influencée par la grappe dans laquelle la femme vit. En d’autres mots, son lieu de résidence détermine le comportement de santé maternelle que l’on adopte. De même, en contrôlant pour les autres variables explicatives, nos résultats montrent que les femmes qui vivent dans un milieu où les normes de genre liées à la violence contre les femmes sont élevées ont, en moyenne, une plus grande chance de ne pas accoucher auprès d’un personnel qualifié au Ghana et en Ouganda, de ne pas débuter leurs soins prénatals dans le premier trimestre dans les mêmes pays, et de ne pas recourir à au moins quatre consultations prénatales en Tanzanie. Par contre, cette variable contextuelle n’influence pas significativement le recours aux soins de santé maternelle au Kenya. Enfin, les résultats montrent que les normes de genre favorables à la violence contre les femmes sont plus déterminantes pour comprendre le recours aux soins de santé maternelle dans les pays étudiés que l’autonomie de prise de décision de la femme. Dans le cadre du troisième et dernier article empirique de la thèse, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’importance des soins prénatals dans le processus de recours à l’accouchement assisté et à la place du contenu des soins reçus avant l’accouchement dans cette relation. Cet article met en exergue l’existence de biais d’endogénéité au Kenya et en Tanzanie, où sans sa prise en compte, l’effet des soins prénatals sur le recours à l’accouchement auprès d’un personnel qualifié serait fortement biaisé. De plus, il ressort qu’à l’exception du Ghana et dans une moindre mesure de la Tanzanie, cet effet est totalement médiatisé par le contenu des soins prénatals que les femmes reçoivent. L’article met ainsi en relief le rôle des prestataires de soins qui pour atteindre plus efficacement les populations doivent agir en tant que leaders au sein de leur communauté.
In Africa, the lives of women and their offspring continue to be threatened at every birth because of the underuse of maternal health care. It is estimated that every year about a quarter of a million the number of maternal deaths and nearly four million children die before age five. Comparing the health patterns in sub-Saharan Africa with other contexts helps to better understand the reality of sub-Saharan Africa, where the risk of death in pregnancy is of the order of 1 to 31, while it is only 1 per 4300 in industrialized countries. This situation is preventable and most often is the result of under or non-use of maternal health services, lack of adequate health care facilities or skilled health personnel. This thesis seeks to understand how gender inequality within the household and in the community reinforces inequalities in the use of maternal health services, as well as the empirical relationship linking the various types of maternal health care uptakes. Specifically, it aims to 1) provide a measure of gender norms favorable to violence against women and to analyze its influence on women’s decision-making authority within the household, 2) simultaneously analyze the impact of these gender norms along with the women’s decision-making authority on the use of antenatal care and delivery assistance, and finally, 3) determine the influence of antenatal care on the use of assisted delivery. Each of these objectives faces substantial methodological issues, either measurement or selection bias, which the structural equation modeling approach we adopted overcomes. The results of our analysis, in the form of scientific articles, are based on the data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and are related to women living in rural areas. Our first article provides a measure of gender norms and, more specifically, those related to violence against women by using the approach of latent variables. The five questions of the DHS on women's attitudes about the legitimacy of violence allowed measuring these gender norms at contextual level. The results suggest that this measure has good validity criteria as the Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.85 to 0.94 for Kenya to Ghana, the chi-square is insignificant everywhere, the RMSEA is below 0.05 and the CFI above 0.96 and saturation are mostly higher than 0.7 in all countries. On the other hand, using multilevel structural equation modeling, we found that beyond their own attitude toward violence against women, women who live in an environment where gender norms are more favorable to violence are more likely to be of low or no decision-making autonomy (compared to high decision-making autonomy) in all the countries studied. The second Article documents the influence of the gender inequality identified at the contextual level by the gender norms favorable to violence against women and at the individual level by the women’s autonomy of decision-making within the household, on the occurrence of antenatal care during the first quarter, and the use of at least four antenatal care and assisted delivery with skilled professional. Also using multilevel structural equation modeling on the same data of article 1, we find that each of these dependent variables is strongly influenced by the cluster in which the woman lives. In other words, her place of residence determines the maternal health behavior she adopts. Similarly, controlling for other variables, our results show that women who live in an environment where gender norms related to violence against women are higher, have on average, a greater chance of not giving birth with a qualified staff in Ghana and Uganda, of not starting their antenatal care in the first trimester in the same countries, and of not reaching at least four antenatal care visits in Tanzania. By cons, this contextual variable does not significantly affect the use of maternal health care in Kenya. Finally, the results show that norms in favor of gender violence against women are more critical to understand the use of maternal health care in the countries studied than the women’s decision-making autonomy. Chapter VII is the last empirical paper of the thesis and examines the effects of prenatal care on the use of skilled birth attendance and also investigates the role of the content of prenatal care in this relationship. Previous studies on the topic have failed to control for possible endogeneity biases, limiting the validity of their conclusions. Our findings point to the existence of important biases in Kenya and Tanzania, where the estimated effect of prenatal care on the use of skilled birth attendance is highly biased downwards when endogeneity is not taken into account in the statistical model. Furthermore, with the exception of Ghana and, to a lesser extent, of Tanzania, our findings indicate that the beneficial effects of prenatal health care are completely mediated by the content of services that women receive. This study emphasizes the role of healthcare providers who, to effectively reach populations, must also act as leaders in their community.

Les taux de mortalité maternelle et néonatale restent importants dans les pays en développement. L’ampleur de ces phénomènes est liée à une constellation de facteurs. Mais une part importante des issues défavorables de la grossesse et de la naissance est attribuable à des causes évitables et des comportements modifiables. Les interventions éducatives prénatales ont été élaborées dans le but d’adresser les facteurs affectant la demande de soins maternels et néonatals efficaces. Les stratégies éducatives ciblant les femmes enceintes incluent les conseils individuels, les sessions de groupes et la combinaison des deux stratégies. Ces stratégies visent à améliorer les connaissances sur les questions de santé maternelle et néonatale et à favoriser l’utilisation adéquate de soins qualifiés et les pratiques hygiéniques à domicile. L’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS) a diffusé dans les pays en développement des guides de pratiques en soins maternels et néonatals incluant les conseils de préparation à la naissance, lors des visites prénatales de routine. Toutefois, peu de données sont disponibles quant à l’efficacité et l’implantation effective de l’éducation prénatale dans les dits pays. Cette thèse cherche à mieux comprendre l’impact des programmes d’éducation prénatale implantés dans deux contextes à risques maternels et néonatals élevés au Burkina Faso. Rédigée sous forme d’articles, la thèse propose trois objectifs spécifiques : 1) examiner l’efficacité théorique des programmes d’éducation prénatale pour réduire la mortalité maternelle et néonatale dans les pays en développement; 2) évaluer l’association entre différents facteurs organisationnels et l’exposition des femmes aux conseils de préparation à la naissance qui font habituellement partie intégrante des programmes d’éducation prénatale implantés dans les services prénatals de routine; et 3) déterminer l’impact de recevoir des conseils de préparation à la naissance sur la probabilité d’accouchement institutionnel. Pour répondre au premier objectif, une méta-analyse de données issues d’essais randomisés a été effectuée. Concernant les réponses aux deux autres objectifs, les données d’une étude de cohorte rétrospective ont été utilisées. Cette étude observationnelle, conçue spécialement pour la thèse, a été menée dans deux districts à risques maternels et néonatals élevés (Dori et Koupela) du Burkina Faso. Les résultats observés à travers les trois investigations sont utiles pour l’avancement des connaissances et la pratique. La méta-analyse révèle que les interventions éducatives expérimentales sont associées à une réduction de 24% de la mortalité néonatale. Cette réduction atteint 30% dans les milieux à très forte mortalité néonatale. En situation de routine, divers facteurs organisationnels peuvent limiter ou faciliter la transmission des conseils éducatifs aux femmes usagères de soins prénatals. Au, Burkina Faso, les données analysées indiquent des fortes disparités entre les deux districts à l’étude. Les femmes du district de Koupela étaient significativement plus exposées aux conseils que celles de Dori. Au delà de cette disparité régionale, deux autres facteurs organisationnels sont fortement associés à l’exposition des femmes aux conseils de préparation à la naissance lors des visites prénatales de routine. Il s’agit de la disponibilité de supports de communication imagés dans l’établissement et le volume réduit de consultations par jour (moins de 20 consultations en moyenne versus 20 ou plus) augurant de moindres charges de travail pour le personnel. Enfin, les conseils reçus par les femmes sur les signes de complications obstétricales et sur les coûts des soins sont significativement associés à une probabilité plus élevée d’accoucher en institution; et ce, seulement dans le district de Dori où le taux d’accouchements institutionnels était relativement faible. En conclusion, l’éducation prénatale est bénéfique pour la sante maternelle et néonatale. Cependant, l’implantation et les effets sont hétérogènes selon les milieux. D’autres études expérimentales et observationnelles sont requises pour renforcer les évidences et investiguer plus en profondeur les facteurs de réussite afin de mieux orienter l’intervention. Les expérimentations futures devraient mesurer des issues de grossesses relatives à la mère (l’assistance qualifiée, les soins postpartum et la mortalité maternelle). Des études de cohorte prospectives avec des grands échantillons représentatifs permettraient de documenter de façon plus valide les événements et les expositions aux interventions durant la grossesse, l’accouchement et le postpartum.
Maternal and neonatal mortality remain high in developing countries. The magnitude of these phenomena is related to a constellation of factors. But a significant proportion of adverse pregnancy and birth outcome, in poor area, are attributable to preventable and behaviourally modifiable causes. Prenatal educational interventions have been developed in order to address the factors affecting the demand for effective maternal and neonatal care. Educational strategies targeting pregnant women include individual counselling, group sessions, and the combination of both strategies. These strategies aim to improve knowledge on issues related to maternal and newborn health and to promote the appropriate use of skilled care and hygiene practices at home. The World Health Organization (WHO) released practice guidelines in developing countries related to maternal and neonatal care including birth preparedness, during routine prenatal visits. However, few data are available about the effectiveness and implementation of effective prenatal education in these countries. This thesis aims to understand the impact of prenatal education programs in two contexts in Burkina Faso where maternal and neonatal risk are high. Written in the form of articles, the thesis addresses three specific objectives namely to: 1) examine the efficacy of prenatal education programs to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in developing countries, 2) assess the association between different organizational factors and women’s exposure to birth preparedness messages during routine antenatal care, and 3) determine the impact of receiving birth preparedness advice on the likelihood of institutional delivery. For the first objective, a meta-analysis of data from randomized trials was conducted. To achieve the two other objectives, data from a retrospective cohort study were used. This observational study, designed specifically for the thesis, was conducted in two districts (Dori and Koupela) in Burkina Faso. The meta-analysis showed that educational interventions are associated with a 24% reduction in neonatal mortality. This reduction reached 30% in areas with very high neonatal mortality. In routine situations, organizational factors may limit or facilitate the transmission of educational advice to women using prenatal care. In Burkina Faso, the data indicate significant disparities between the two districts in the study. Women from Koupela district were significantly more exposed to advice than those from Dori. Beyond this regional disparity, two other organizational factors were strongly associated with exposure of women to birth preparedness counselling during routine prenatal visits. The first factor was the availability of print materials and aids (e.g., posters, pictures…), used by health professionals as communication support to provide prenatal clients with advice. The second factor was a lower volume of daily consultations (i.e., less than 20 consultations versus 20 or more) which meant lower workload for staff. Finally, advice received by women concerning signs of obstetric complications and costs of care were associated with a significantly higher likelihood of institutional deliveries but only in the district of Dori where the initial rate of institutional deliveries was relatively low. In conclusion, prenatal education is beneficial for maternal and newborn health. However, implementation and effect heterogeneities exist across contexts. Others experimental and observational studies are required to strengthen the evidence and more thoroughly investigate success factors in order to support policies. Future experiments should focus on maternal outcomes (i.e., skilled birth attendance, postpartum care, and maternal mortality). Prospective cohort studies with large and representative samples would allow for examination of events and exposures to interventions during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum.

碩士
國立高雄師範大學
華語文教學研究所
105
This study mainly focuses on the Chinese material design for flight attendant. The number of Chinese tourist has increased owing to the economical development, so the needs of customer service for Chinese speaker tourist has increased as well. Flight attendant is a typical job in the airline service industry, besides flight attendant needs to contact the tourist frequently. Therefore, the Chinese learning needs of flight attendant has raised. Chinese learning for specific purposes has become more and more popular in recent years. In order to design a Chinese material for flight attendant, the most important thing is the learning needs analysis for flight attendant. This study adopted qualitative research methods. First, the researcher wants to figure out the Chinese learning needs of flight attendant which was done in questionnaire method. The results are as below: 1) Most of them are zero-based to beginner level, and they are Korean and Japanese. 2) They want to get the conversation skills, focus on the listening and speaking. 3) They prefer the distance learning program and intensive courses. 4) The learning method they expect is situated learning. 5) They have a strong motivation to learn Chinese: the commission of duty free sales. Second, the researcher conducted the field research to collect the language materials of the flight attendant for the Chinese material design, and focus on the duty-free sales topic. The researcher found out some characteristics of their service language. 1) There are a lot of vocabularies. 2) The sentences are repeated and fixed. Lastly, the researcher proposed the principles of Chinese material design for flight attendant and focus on duty-free sales topic. It’s based on the relative theories and above result of research. And hope this study will be useful for the Chinese material design for flight attendant in the future.

碩士
經國管理暨健康學院
健康產業管理研究所
106
In this study, the core competence index of the maternal and child care attendants in the postpartum phase was constructed as the research scope, aiming to explore the capacity indicators of the maternal and child care attendants during the calving period. The study tried to understand the needs of women in the postpartum period after literature review, then we refined the "Health and Welfare Department and Health Care Department 106 Annual Post-natal Care Organization Evaluation Benchmark - B Professional Care Consensus Benchmarks and Benchmarks" to draw on projects for home care services. Furthermore, the construction of the core competencies of the maternal and child care service personnel during the puerperium period can obtain 3 dimensions and 11 indicators, and then established the independence among the three dimensions by AHP analysis. The questionnaire was distributed in two parts. The first part was a questionnaire survey for maternal and child care attendants. The weights of each criterion were obtained by AHP analysis, and a total of 8 questionnaires were obtained. In the second part, 11 indicators were used to conduct a questionnaire survey on pregnant women born after 12 weeks of pregnancy. The results were ranked in order of importance, and a total of 69 questionnaires were collected. The results showed that the top 6 of 11 indicators constructed in this study were: maternal care, infant care, maternal care guidance, emergencies, maternal feeding care, and balanced nutrition and dietary allocation. The first six items of caregiver and consumer cognitive differences are small and the ranking score is higher. These 6 indicators will be used to design key courses for the maternal and child service staff in the future.

Bangladesh has achieved impressive reductions in maternal deaths during the past two decades, but has not shown much progress in the use of skilled providers at childbirth or in postnatal care from trained providers. Both the Government and NGOs were implementing various interventions aimed at improving the health of mothers and newborns in the study area for this thesis. An in-depth knowledge of existing maternal and newborn care practices, and of related beliefs, is essential to assessing the success of such maternal and newborn care interventions, and to understanding the challenge improving the situation presents. Fieldwork was carried out in three unions of Ramu upazila in rural Bangladesh -Khuniapalong, Joarianala and Fatehkharkul. A total of 1,326 interviews were conducted, with data weighted to reflect the 1,783 women who were eligible to be interviewed. In addition, 40 in-depth interviews were conducted with different stakeholders. Women in Khuniapalong were appreciably poorer and less educated than those in Joarianala, who in turn were poorer and less educated than those in Fatehkharkul. Although most women had sought antenatal care (ANC), little more than a quarter of deliveries had been attended by skilled personnel. Women with higher secondary or higher education, in wealth quintiles 3-5, resident in Fatehkharkul, having a first birth, and having received a voucher/card for ANC and other services were especially likely to have received ANC three or more times from a trained provider. Over three-quarters of births had occurred at home, including almost all ofthose in Khuniapalong. Delivery complications, having received a voucher/card for free ANC, delivery and PNC services, residence in Fatehkharkul, belonging to wealth quintile 4 or 5, the birth being a first birth, having higher secondary or higher education (woman and her husband), and having had three or more ANC consultations were all predictive of hospital delivery. Skilled assistance at home births was related to having a first birth, experiencing complications, having had four or more ANC visits, belonging to the highest wealth quintile, and residence in Fatehkharkul. More than 70 percent of women had consulted somebody for postnatal care (PNC), but almost all PNC providers in Khuniapalong and two-thirds of those in Joarianala were unskilled, along with 40 percent of those in Fatehkharkul. Use of a skilled birth attendant was associated with having skilled PNC for both mothers and newborns, and with essential newborn care practices like clean cord care, immediate drying and wrapping, delayed bathing and early initiation of breastfeeding. These practices are still frequently not followed, being intertwined with cultural beliefs. Qualitative data showed that not consulting trained ANC and PNC providers and not using skilled birth attendants were associated with perceiving them to be ' not needed' . Skilled attendance at delivery and postpartum care for mother and newborn are crucial to improving the mother and newborn health situation in rural Bangladesh. Equitable coverage by health interventions along with community empowerment are keys to overcoming harmful cultural beliefs and norms around childbirth and thereby improving maternal and newborn health.

Introduction Chaque année, 289 000 femmes décèdent des complications reliées à la grossesse et à l’accouchement, et 2.9 millions de nouveau-nés décèdent avant d’atteindre 28 jours de vie. La quasi-totalité (99%) des décès maternels et néonataux ont cours dans les pays à revenu faible et intermédiaire (PRFI). L’utilisation des services obstétricaux essentiels, incluant l’assistance qualifiée à l’accouchement (AA) et les services postnataux, contribue largement à la réduction de la morbidité et de la mortalité maternelle et néonatale. Il est donc essentiel d’évaluer les déterminants et les inégalités de couverture de ces services, en vue d’informer l’élaboration de politiques et de programmes de santé dans les PRFI. Objectifs 1. Étudier systématiquement les déterminants et inégalités socioéconomiques, géographiques et démographiques dans l’utilisation des services de santé postnataux dans les PRFI. 2. Évaluer l’effet de la politique de subvention des frais aux usagers introduite au Burkina Faso en 2007 sur les taux d’utilisation de l’assistance qualifiée à l’accouchement, en fonction du statut socioéconomique (SSE). Méthodes 1. Nous avons réalisé une revue systématique sur l’utilisation des services postnataux dans les PRFI, en fonction des déterminants socioéconomiques, géographiques et démographiques. Notre étude incluait une méta-analyse de l’utilisation des services selon les quintiles de SSE et le milieu de vie (urbain vs. rural). 2. Nous avons utilisé un devis quasi-expérimental. Les sources de données consistaient en deux sondages représentatifs (n=1408 et n=1403), conduits respectivement en 2008 et 2010 auprès de femmes des districts sanitaires de Houndé et de Ziniaré au Burkina Faso, en plus d’une enquête sur la qualité structurelle des soins offerts dans les centres de santé primaire. Nous avons utilisé des modèles de régression de Poisson, multi-niveaux et segmentés, afin d’évaluer l’effet de la politique de subvention sur les taux d’AA. Nous avons estimé des ratios et différences de taux d’incidence ajustés, en fonction du SSE et du temps écoulé depuis l’introduction de la subvention. Résultats 1. Les estimés de ratio de cotes (RC) agrégés (IC 95%) pour les femmes de SSE élevé (5e quintile ou Q5), Q4, Q3 et Q2 (référence : quintile le plus pauvre, Q1) étaient respectivement : 2.27 (1.75 – 2.93); 1.60 (1.30-1.98); 1.32 (1.12-1.55); et 1.14 (0.96-1.34). La méta-analyse a aussi démontré un gradient d’utilisation des services postnataux entre les femmes urbaines et rurales : RC (IC 95%) = 1.36 (1.01-1.81). L’évaluation narrative a par ailleurs identifié une différence dans la couverture de services selon le niveau d’éducation. 2. Pour les femmes de faible SSE, le taux d’AA était 24% plus élevé (IC 95% : 4-46%) immédiatement après l’introduction de la subvention, en comparaison au taux attendu en l’absence de ladite subvention. L’ampleur de l’effet a diminué dans le temps, correspondant à des estimés (IC 95%) de 22% (3-45%) à 6 mois, 20% (1-43%) à 12 mois, et 17% (-4-42%) à 24 mois après l’introduction de la subvention. La force d’association variait selon les strates de SSE, l’effet le plus prononcé étant observé au sein du SSE le plus faible. Conclusions 1. L’utilisation des services postnataux demeure inéquitable selon le SSE et l’accessibilité géographique aux formations sanitaires dans les PRFI. 2. Notre étude suggère que l’introduction de la subvention des frais aux usagers au Burkina Faso résulte en une augmentation soutenue dans le taux d’assistance qualifiée à l’accouchement, particulièrement chez les femmes de faible SSE. Cette évidence scientifique devrait alimenter l’élaboration de programmes de santé materno-infantile, en plus de guider la planification de politiques et le renforcement des systèmes de santé des PRFI.
Background Each year, 289 000 women die from complications related to pregnancy, childbirth or the postnatal period, and 2.9 million newborns decease before reaching 28 days of life. The near totality (99%) of maternal and neonatal deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Utilization of essential obstetric care services including skilled birth attendance (SBA) and postnatal care (PNC) largely contributes to the reduction of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is a strong need to assess the determinants and inequalities in coverage of SBA and PNC services, to inform health policy planning. Objectives 1. Systematically assess the socioeconomic, geographic and demographic inequalities in PNC services utilization in LMICs. 2. Evaluate the effect of Burkina Faso’s 2007 user-fee subsidy policy on SBA rate across socioeconomic status (SES) strata. Methods 1. We conducted a systematic review of the association between PNC services utilization and key determinants, including a meta-analysis of PNC use across socioeconomic status quintiles, and place of residence (urban vs. rural). 2. We used a quasi-experimental design. The data sources were two representative surveys (n=1408 and n=1403) carried out in 2008 and 2010, respectively, of women from Houndé and Ziniaré health districts of Burkina Faso, and a survey of health centres assessing structural quality of care. Multilevel segmented Poisson regression models were used to assess the effect of subsidy on SBA rate. We estimated adjusted rate ratios and rate differences as a function of time and socioeconomic status level. Results 1. The pooled odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) estimates for highest SES women (quintile 5, Q5), Q4, Q3 and Q2 (reference: poorest quintile, Q1) were respectively: 2.27 (1.75 – 2.93); 1.60 (1.30-1.98); 1.32 (1.12-1.55); and 1.14 (0.96-1.34). Meta-analysis also showed a PNC utilization divide between urban and rural women: OR (95% CI) = 1.36 (1.01-1.81). Narrative assessment of studies identified a gradient in PNC coverage across education levels. 2. For low-SES women, immediately upon the introduction of the subsidy policy, the rate of SBA was 24% higher (95% CI: 4-46%) than expected in the absence of subsidy policy introduction. The magnitude of the apparent effect decreased over time, with the corresponding estimates (95% CI) being 22% (3-45%) at 6 months, 20% (1-43%) at 12 months, and 17% (-4-42%) at 24 months after the policy introduction. Furthermore, the magnitude of the association varied across SES strata, with the apparent effect being most pronounced in the low SES stratum. Conclusions 1. PNC utilization remains inequitable across socioeconomic status and geographic access to health facilities in LMICs. 2. Our study suggests that introduction of user fee subsidy in Burkina Faso resulted in sustained increase in the rate of SBA, especially among low-SES women. This evidence should inform maternal and child health programmes and guide health policies and health care systems in LMICs.

Maternal deaths in Ethiopia are mainly due to complications of pregnancy and delivery. The socio-cultural contexts under which these pregnancies and deliveries occur that pave the way for these complications and mortality. In Ethiopia, the maternal mortality ratio had been 353/100,000 live births in 2015. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to examine, and describe the socio-cultural determinants and missed opportunities of maternal health care in Eastern Ethiopia. The study was conducted in selected districts of Grawa, Chelenko and Haramaya Woreda, East Hararghe, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. A community-based survey involving pregnant women in their third trimester and women who gave birth in the last five years, husbands, mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, health workers, religious and community leaders were conducted between September up to December 2017. A systematic sampling technique was used to get a total of 422 study participants for quantitative and 24 FGD participants to qualitative study were adopted using triangulation of data collection. Pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. The main instrument used for quantitative data collection was the structured questionnaire, specifically in-depth interview methods. Bivariate and Multivariate data analysis were performed using SPSS version 25.0 and focus group discussion (FGD) was used to collect qualitative information and the information was analysed using thematic analysis method based on Atlas.ti version 8.2 statistical software packages. The study revealed that among 359 (85%) pregnant women who planned for ANC visit, 16 (4.5%) received ANC four or more times during their last pregnancies, the respondents (81.3%) claimed that they were taken care of by skilled delivery attendant during delivery, 18.5% of them said that they delivered at home and 71.1% of them received medical care after delivery (missed opportunity). Women in the age group 15-24 years [AOR: 1.18, 95%CI: 1.18 (0.37, 3.74)], primary school [AOR: 4.09, 95%CI: 4.09(0.96, 15.50)], women intended their last pregnancy [AOR: 3.1, 95% CI: 0.32(0.11, 0.94)], and women living in urban residences [AOR: 1.2, 95%CI: 0.86(0.25, 2.95)] were significant predictors of unplanned home delivery. For optimal and effective interventions of maternal health services utilization, provisions should be made for better women‘s education, family planning, community-based health insurance, health facilities access, job opportunity and women empowerment; provisions should also be made for creating income generating activities to women. Strengthening village women‘s army wing, refreshing and enabling health extension workers and traditional birth attendants. What is more, optimal measures should be taken to discourage traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, polygamy, violence against women and teenage marriage. Finally, free maternal and child health services should be advocated for so that the gap in maternal healthcare services is bridged.
Health Studies
D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Text in English, with Annexures in English and Amharic
Annexure 5 and Annexure 7 "Questionnaire for qualitative study" in English and Amharic
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and its partners are determined to prevent and manage preventable causes of morbidity and mortality in mothers, neonates and children. In the last decade, special emphasis has been given to increasing the number of health facilities that provide maternal and child health services (MNCH), huge production of skilled birth attendants (SBAs), and equipping the health facilities to improve the utilisation of quality services. This study investigated the community perspectives of health service utilisation and proposes a framework for improving the utilisation of the available SBA and postnatal care (PNC). PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to develop a framework for the utilisation of skilled care for delivery and postnatal care by women of childbearing age (15-45). METHODOLOGY The study used a Sequential explanatory Mixed Methods Approach to investigate the utilisation of SBA and PNC in a district in Ethiopia. The Delphi Technique helped to solicit input from maternal health care experts on the development of a Framework for utilisation of SBA and PNC. This study utilised the Anderson Health Utilisation Model. RESULTS In the study, 79.8% of the women who delivered within 12 months prior to this study received ANC from SBA. Baby care and PNC for the mother and baby received from SBA were at 248 (71.5%), 55 (15.8%), and 131 (38%) respectively. The study further found that women who can read and write and were educated are more likely to utilise SBA and receive quality health care services. The study showed that certain factors such as disrespecting service users, abusing service users’ lack of trust on the SBA by service users, religion and superstition contribute negatively to the use of SBAs. None of the predisposing, enabling and need factors predicted the use of SBA for PNC by the mothers. Nevertheless, through the focus group discussions (FGDs) and individual interviews (IDI), it was revealed that there was a widespread knowledge and perception gaps in the community related to the importance of postnatal period and PNC. Religious sanctification also have imperative role in hampering PNC service use by the mothers. The Health care workers (HCWs) also lacked the keenness and orientation to provide the service. Babies born from families with monthly income equal to 500 or above USD were more likely to use PNC within 45 days. There was a widespread misconception in the community that Babies do not need PNC before 45 days of birth except for vaccination purpose. CONCLUSION To examine their role in health service utilisation for SBA and PNC, researches can integrate social support and social network to the Andersen’s health-service utilisation model. A framework for utilisation of SBA and PNC is proposed. The researcher recommends developing an utilisation tool kit that specifies the detail operationalisation of the framework.
Health Studies
D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The purpose of this study was to identify the need for a training programme and to develop the training programme to meet the needs of traditional birth attendants in the management of pregnancy, labour and puerperium. The study was conducted in the Flagstaff district which is one of the districts of the north eastern region (region E) of the Eastern Cape. The target group consisted of all the traditional birth attendants who availed themselves at the residential clinics of Flagstaff district and the number is not known as not all traditional birth attendants who presented themselves are recognized by their communities as traditional birth attendants. The study was a quantitative descriptive design and the data was collected by means of structured interviews using a questionnaire that was designed by the researcher. According to the findings the traditional birth attendants are functioning without being formally trained before. They lack knowledge and skill in the management of pregnancy, labour and puerperium. Some of their practices are reason for concern, for example cephalic versions and not using protective devices. There is a need for the development of the training programme in the Flagstaff district. This programme was developed from the information obtained from the data-analysis and is given as annexure F
Health Sciences
M.A. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

The purpose of this study was to analyse and describe the factors that influence the choice of site of delivery by pregnant women in Mukono district. By employing quantitative, non experimental research methods, 431 women were interviewed by using structured questionnaires. These women had either delivered at; home, TBA, private or public clinic and 72% had been delivered by skilled attendants. Choice of delivery site was influenced by the attitudes of health workers which were rather poor in public sites, proximity of site, attendance of antenatal clinic at a site, availability of supplies and drugs, plus level of care including emergency obstetric care.
Health Studies
M. A. (Public Health)

In Uganda, there are an estimated 200,000 women suffering from obstetric fistula, with 1,900 new cases expected annually. These figures, combined with a persistently high maternal mortality rate, have led to an international discourse that claims the solution to improving maternal health outcomes is facility-based delivery with a skilled birth attendant. In accord with this discourse, the Ugandan government criminalized traditional birth attendants in 2010. In this study, I examine the lived experience of traditional birth attendants and women who have suffered from an obstetric fistula in eastern Uganda. Using data collected from open-ended, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and participant-observation, I describe the biocultural determinants of obstetric fistula. Based on findings, I argue that although emergency obstetric care is critical to prevent obstetric fistula in cases of obstructed labor, the criminalization of the locally constructed system of care, TBAs, serves as yet another layer of structural violence in the lives of rural, poor women. Results demonstrate how political-economic and cultural determinants of obstetric fistula are minimized in favor of a Western prescribed, bio-medical solution, which is heavily resource dependent. This solution is promoted through a political economy of hope fueled by the obstetric imaginary, or the enthusiastic belief in Western-style biomedical obstetric care’s ability to deliver positive health outcomes for women and infants regardless of local context and constraints. Recommendations include increased obstetric fistula treatment facilities with improved communication from medical staff, decriminalization of traditional birth attendants and renewed training programs, and engaging local populations in maternal health discourse to ensure culturally competent programs.
Graduation date: 2013

Haiti's political and economy history has led to a maternity care system that lies out of reach, geographically and financially, of most Haitians, resulting in excessively high maternal and infant mortality. The most common birth practitioners are homebirth midwives (matwòns), who attend roughly three-fourths of all births in Haiti (UNICEF), often without the benefit of emergency obstetric services. In this ethnographic study, I examine how matwòns experience caring for mothers and babies in extraordinarily low-resource and high-risk settings. This qualitative research employed a critical approach and feminist research methodologies. In in-depth interviews I asked participants to describe the challenges they find in their work. Then, in an innovative style of group meeting called Open Space, matwòns reflected on those challenges collectively, with an aim to ameliorate their current situations. Data analysis utilized a modified grounded theory approach, which allowed the matwòns' own narratives to determine the categories of analysis. Emergent themes resulting from this analysis revealed four main challenges in the work of matwòns, as well as matwòns' own strategies to mitigate those challenges. The four broad challenges, which include physical risks, social/spiritual threats, a lack of livelihood, and an obligation to practice, are experienced either as episodic hazards or chronic stressors. Matwòns' personal mitigation strategies centered on two broad approaches, providing protection, and offering service. However, the Open Space meeting created an opportunity for matwòns to strategize collective mitigation efforts through professional organization. Based on these findings, I argue that a more nuanced understanding of matwòns' experiences reveals their adaptive skills, which, in part, resemble Davis Floyd's (2007) notion of a postmodern midwife, and offers opportunities for mutual accommodation (Jordan 1997[1978]). Recommendations include support and advocacy for the self-organization of Haitian matwòns, as well as their greater inclusion in efforts to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in post-earthquake Haiti.
Graduation date: 2013