Conduct of Integrated Health Services in Real Hard-to-Reach/Under-Served Communities to Address Maternal/Child Health Problems, 2016–2018 in Borno State Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the conduct of integrated health services in real hard-to-reach/under-served communities to address maternal and child health problems from 2016–2018, riding on the Global Vaccine Action Plan that was conducted in Seventeen (17) Local Government Areas at risk of sustaining polio transmission in Borno State from July 2014 to December 2015, it was further expanded to 1712 for both real Hard-to-reach and Under-served communities in 25 accessible Local Government areas for integrated Health services using two strategies, Real Hard-to-reach areas and under-served communities which targeted newly liberated communities including internally displaced persons between 2016 to 2018. The findings from the study show treatment of minor ailment, 628731 clients were seen, and 9482 were referred to next health facilities for proper diagnosis and management, 88421 pregnant mothers received intermittent preventive therapy, sensitization on exclusive breast feeding, complementary feeding, focused antenatal care, Water sanitation, and hygiene. Furthermore, the findings show that oral polio, measles, hepatitis, yellow fever, tetanus toxoid, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccination was carried out for children from 0-11 months, while tetanus vaccination was carried out for pregnant women. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that the mobile health teams had improved the health status of Children, women of childbearing age, pregnant mothers, and other age groups in Real Hard-to-reach and under-served communities like Antenatal/post-natal, treatment of minor ailments, vaccination, nutritional screening, HIV testing counselling and referrals, Gender-based violence identification counselling and referrals and de-worming.