The implementation of the free maternal health policy in rural Northern Ghana: synthesised results and lessons learnt

BMC Research Notes
Philip Ayizem DalinjongCaroline S E Homer

Abstract

A free maternal health policy was implemented under Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme to promote the use of maternal health services. Under the policy, women are entitled to free services throughout pregnancy and at childbirth. A mixed methods study involving women, providers and insurance managers was carried out in the Kassena-Nankana municipality of Ghana. It explored the affordability, availability, acceptability and quality of services. In this manuscript, we present synthesised results categorised as facilitators and barriers to access as well as lessons learnt (implications). Reasonable waiting times, cleanliness of facilities as well as good interpersonal relationships with providers were the facilitators to access. Barriers included out of pocket payments, lack of, or inadequate supply of drugs and commodities, equipment, water, electricity and emergency transport. Four lessons (implications) were identified. Firstly, out of pocket payments persisted. Secondly, the health system was not strengthened before implementing the free maternal health policy. Thirdly, lower level facilities were poorly resourced. Finally, the lack of essential inputs and infrastructure affected quality of care and therefore, access to c...Continue Reading

References

Aug 13, 2002·Journal of Health Services Research & Policy·Martin GullifordMeryl Hudson
May 20, 2003·Birth·Edwin R van TeijlingenAnn Fitzmaurice
Mar 5, 2004·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·J StekelenburgJ van Roosmalen
Jun 6, 2009·Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition·Ramesh BhatNeelu Singh
Feb 4, 2010·Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin·Sameena ChowdhuryAbdul Halim
Jan 8, 2011·New South Wales Public Health Bulletin·Paula J Spokes, Robin E Gilmour
Oct 11, 2011·International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics : the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·Luwei PearsonEmily B Keyes
May 23, 2012·BMC Health Services Research·Sheetal P SilalDiane McIntyre
Nov 2, 2012·Healthcare Informatics Research·Young-Taek ParkJiseon Lee
Feb 7, 2014·The New England Journal of Medicine·Anne Mills
Apr 18, 2015·BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·Linda MasonMeghna Desai
May 1, 2015·BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·Aradhana SrivastavaSanghita Bhattacharyya
Nov 27, 2015·Infection Ecology & Epidemiology·Krishna RegmiColin Thunhurst
Jan 3, 2016·International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics : the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·Louise HultonWilliam Stones
Mar 5, 2016·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·Lisa M Puchalski RitchieSharon E Straus
Mar 13, 2016·Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health·Do Kim NganSychareun Vanphanom
Aug 31, 2016·Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease·T BrittosL Pellanda
Dec 13, 2016·Journal of General Internal Medicine·Asaf BittonLisa R Hirschhorn
Nov 24, 2017·Health Economics Review·Philip Ayizem DalinjongCaroline S E Homer

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 24, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Katrina PerehudoffZaheer-Ud-Din Babar

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.