TITLE:
Contribution of safe motherhood solidarity groups in using and accessing maternity services during a period of armed conflict
AUTHORS:
Richard Bitwe Mihanda, Jean Robert Likofata, Gwendolyn J. Lusi
KEYWORDS:
Safe Motherhood; Solidarity Group; Usage of Maternity Services; Accessibility of Maternity Services; Reproductive Health; Maternal Health
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.7,
July
16,
2013
ABSTRACT: This report presents the results of a study
on Reproductive Health done in North Kivu in September 2009. It was conducted
by HEAL Africa, in partnership with the Provisional Division of Health, and
financed by the University of Ottawa, Canada/CRDI with technical assistance
from Western Cape University of South Africa. The study was conducted in the
health zones of Birambizo and Kayna within the framework of the central
office. The focus of the report is on one aspect of Reproductive Health—Low
Risk Maternity. This study was conducted in rural areas given that Reproductive
Health indicators are much weaker when compared with urban areas, according to
EDS RDC, 2007 [1]. This
study emphasizes the following points: General characteristics of the
participants in the study, and the utilization and accessibility of maternity
services in rural areas in conflict situations. The formula SPSS 12.0.1 was
used to facilitate data analysis in the study. This study comes at a point in
time when its relevance to HEAL Africa’s work will assist HEAL and its partners
in determining the focus of interventions done in health zones in order to improve
maternal and neonatal health. HEAL Africa firstly stepped into a Safe Motherhood
pilot project in June 2006 for 9 months in the Masisi zone, then in 2007 in the
Birambizo and Kayna health zones. In November 2007, HEAL expanded into Walikale
and in October 2008, into Kirotshe, Binza, and Lubero. The intervention kit
consists of reinforcing the capacity of existing health facilities, training
traditional midwives who
serve as a link between the community and the health structures, the provision
of sanitary equipment, medical essentials
and community mobilization was done through local leaders about health
and reproduction, and organizing women of reproductive age in solidarity
groups (SG) to generate maternity insurance.
The community approach “Solidarity Groups for Maternity Insurance”
constitutes the spine of HEAL Africa within the support it provides in
Reproductive Health. The principal idea is to educate and train communities
on how to use the MMR services that are available in their community, and to
remove financial barriers to accessing health services. The 4 pillars that
comprise the Safe Motherhood program are: family planning, prenatal care, safe
assisted delivery and essential obstetric care. These four strategic measures
are integral in assuring primary health care and equality for women. This study
evaluates this approach, keeping in mind local strategies and their effects on
improving the utilization and accessibility of reproductive health services.