Structural barriers to maternity care in Cameroon: a qualitative study

The maternal mortality and perinatal mortality rate in Cameroon are among the highest worldwide. To improve these outcomes, we conducted a formative qualitative assessment to inform the adaptation of a mobile provider-to-provider intervention in Cameroon. We explored the complex interplay of structu...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Reproductive health Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 108 - 11
Main Authors:	Harsono, Alfonsus Adrian Hadikusumo, Bond, Christyenne Lily, Enah, Comfort, Ngong, Mary Glory, Kyeng, Rahel Mbah, Wallace, Eric, Turan, Janet M, Szychowski, Jeffery M, Carlo, Waldemar A, Ambe, Lionel Neba, Halle-Ekane, Gregory, Muffih, Pius Tih, Tita, Alan Thevenet N, Budhwani, Henna
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England BioMed Central Ltd 19-07-2024 BioMed Central BMC
Subjects:	Adult Cameroon Cameroonian Women Childbirth Care Evaluation Female Focus Group Discussions Focus Groups Health Personnel - psychology Health Services Accessibility Humans Management Maternal health Maternal health services Maternal Health Services - standards Maternal Mortality Pregnancy Qualitative Research Qualitative study Cameroon Childbirth Care Cameroonian Women Focus Group Discussions Qualitative study Maternal health
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	The maternal mortality and perinatal mortality rate in Cameroon are among the highest worldwide. To improve these outcomes, we conducted a formative qualitative assessment to inform the adaptation of a mobile provider-to-provider intervention in Cameroon. We explored the complex interplay of structural barriers on maternity care in this low-resourced nation. The study aimed to identify structural barriers to maternal care during the early adaptation of the mobile Medical Information Service via Telephone (mMIST) program in Cameroon. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups with 56 key stakeholders including previously and currently pregnant women, primary healthcare providers, administrators, and representatives of the Ministry of Health, recruited by purposive sampling. Thematic coding and analysis via modified grounded theory approach were conducted using NVivo12 software. Three main structural barriers emerged: (1) civil unrest (conflict between Ambazonian militant groups and the Cameroonian government in the Northwest), (2) limitations of the healthcare system, (3) inadequate physical infrastructure. Civil unrest impacted personal security, transportation safety, and disrupted medical transport system. Limitations of healthcare system involved critical shortages of skilled personnel and medical equipment, low commitment to evidence-based care, poor reputation, ineffective health system communication, incentives affecting care, and inadequate data collection. Inadequate physical infrastructure included frequent power outages and geographic distribution of healthcare facilities leading to logistical challenges. Dynamic inter-relations among structural level factors create barriers to maternity care in Cameroon. Implementation of policies and intervention programs addressing structural barriers are necessary to facilitate timely access and utilization of high-quality maternity care.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	1742-4755 1742-4755
DOI:	10.1186/s12978-024-01834-w