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.
Highlights
Within the multitude of problems, interventions and possible causal relationships affect maternal mortality and morbidity in rural Africa, this study will attempt to OPEN ACCESSR
Mihanda et al / Health 5 (2013) 1085-1091 evaluate the value to a community of a safe motherhood program in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, which addresses the social determinants of health problems and identifies the particular contributions that solidarity groups make to maternity care, safe birth, and obstetric care
The effects of the war on health are seen in the destruction and pillage of health infrastructures, the flight of qualified personnel, the continual displacement of people living in abject poverty, illness, malnutrition, injuries, the interruption of immunization programs and reproductive health, and in the spread of communicable diseases, in particular sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, often spread through sexual violence
Summary
Mihanda et al / Health 5 (2013) 1085-1091 evaluate the value to a community of a safe motherhood program in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, which addresses the social determinants of health problems and identifies the particular contributions that solidarity groups make to maternity care, safe birth, and obstetric care. The effects of the war on health are seen in the destruction and pillage of health infrastructures, the flight of qualified personnel, the continual displacement of people living in abject poverty, illness, malnutrition, injuries, the interruption of immunization programs and reproductive health, and in the spread of communicable diseases, in particular sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, often spread through sexual violence. Despite the theoretical full health coverage through 515 health zones, the DRC has the worst maternity mortality rates in the world. The maternal mortality average is 140-200/100,000 live births—in DRC, it is 1298/100,000 live births [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
