TY - JOUR
T1 - Safe motherhood
T2 - A hidden reality in Pakistan
AU - Ali, Shahnaz Shahid
AU - Ali, Tazeen Saeed
AU - Adnan, Farzana
AU - Asif, Nimira
AU - Memon, Zahid
AU - Barkat, Samina
AU - Soofi, Sajid
AU - Ali, Anum Shiraz
AU - Karmaliani, Rozina
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023
PY - 2023/4
Y1 - 2023/4
N2 - Objective: To explore the perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals, including female health visitors, female health workers, community midwives, and heads of departments of healthcare facilities, regarding the importance of the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI), its pillars, and its foundational principles. Design: Qualitative descriptive exploratory study. Setting: This study was conducted in healthcare centres in 10 districts in Pakistan: six in Gilgit Baltistan, two in Chitral, and two in Sindh. Participants: Healthcare professionals were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 14 in-depth interviews were conducted. Findings: The following themes emerged through thematic analysis: (1) health and well-being of mothers and newborns; (2) strengthening the SMI pillars; (3) equity of health services; and (4) effective strategies for behaviour modification. Each theme had two categories. Key conclusions: The health and well-being of mothers and newborns are key indicators; as such, interventions should be made to promote their quality of life. Capacity building and refresher training on antenatal care, childbirth, postnatal care, postabortion care, and family planning can be considered effective to enhance the competencies of healthcare professionals. Implications for practice: The findings of this study suggest that healthcare professionals should receive training to enhance their competencies and provide safe care.
AB - Objective: To explore the perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals, including female health visitors, female health workers, community midwives, and heads of departments of healthcare facilities, regarding the importance of the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI), its pillars, and its foundational principles. Design: Qualitative descriptive exploratory study. Setting: This study was conducted in healthcare centres in 10 districts in Pakistan: six in Gilgit Baltistan, two in Chitral, and two in Sindh. Participants: Healthcare professionals were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 14 in-depth interviews were conducted. Findings: The following themes emerged through thematic analysis: (1) health and well-being of mothers and newborns; (2) strengthening the SMI pillars; (3) equity of health services; and (4) effective strategies for behaviour modification. Each theme had two categories. Key conclusions: The health and well-being of mothers and newborns are key indicators; as such, interventions should be made to promote their quality of life. Capacity building and refresher training on antenatal care, childbirth, postnatal care, postabortion care, and family planning can be considered effective to enhance the competencies of healthcare professionals. Implications for practice: The findings of this study suggest that healthcare professionals should receive training to enhance their competencies and provide safe care.
KW - Capacity building training
KW - Healthcare professionals
KW - Maternal mortality
KW - Safe motherhood initiative
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85148724405&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103624
DO - 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103624
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85148724405
SN - 0266-6138
VL - 119
JO - Midwifery
JF - Midwifery
M1 - 103624
ER -
