Bridging the gap among healthcare workers and decision-makers through improved routine measurement of the quality of maternal and newborn care
Progress in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) outcomes in low-income countries has been slow. In Tanzania, recent data suggests that although significant progress has been made in increasing coverage of essential services, the lack of data on quality of care is a major impediment to the achievement of the desired progress in MNCH outcomes.
Through this project, researchers will build on insights gained from previous work to develop and validate a novel electronic tool for measuring the quality of maternal and newborn care. They will integrate the tool into the existing Health Management Information System (HMIS) in Tanzania, generate evidence on how a gender and equity perspective can be integrated in the routine assessment of quality of care, and identify the critical factors required for the scale-up and integration of the electronic tool into routine use.
This project will build on the existing partnership between Ifakara Health Institute (Tanzania), the SickKids Hospital’s Centre for Global Child Health (Canada), and the Tanzania Ministry of Health. The proposed project is closely aligned with several Tanzanian government-led strategies to improve maternal, neonatal, and child health outcomes, including the Big Results Now initiative.
This project is funded by the Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in Africa program. It is a seven-year $36 million initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada, IDRC, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Project ID
108546
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
36 months
IDRC Officer
Sana Naffa
Total Funding
CA$ 478,920.00
Location
Tanzania
Institution Country
Tanzania
Project Leader
PhD Fatuma Manzi
Institution
The Registered Trustees of Ifakara Health Institute
Institution Website
Outputs
|
Routine capturing of quality of care data using electronic tool to synergy quality improvement for maternal and newborn health at district scale (QUADS2) - Mtwara Region Southern Tanzania Article
The quality improvement for maternal and newborn health at district scale (QUADS2) intervention was carried out in four districts in southern Tanzania (2015-2020). The project was developed to increase data quality and use, promoting more active engagement of policy implementers. Using WHO Quality of Care indicators for maternal and newborn health (World Health Organization, 2019), an electronic tool was developed through which evaluation activities were conducted. Every month health workers uploaded data about their patients. This 2-page article reviews details of the project. Author(s): Ahmad, Aziz, Mkumbo, Elibariki, kionga, Yusuph, Abdallah, Gumi, Mlaguzi, Mwanaidi, Manzi, Fatuma Language: English |
Health workers were excited with the use of electronic tool for maternal and newborn health care data Article
The article reviews and provides key findings related to the quality improvement for maternal and newborn health at district scale (QUADS2), an intervention carried out in four districts in Mtwara, Tanzania. It provides details of how data collected using an electronic tool resulted in the improvement of maternal and newborn care services. Although significant progress has been made in the availability of information on coverage of essential services in low and middle-income countries, there is inconsistent data available on the quality of care for maternal and newborn care. Author(s): Kionga, Yusufu, Manzi, Fatuma, Ahmad, Aziz Language: English |
Improved maternal and newborn health in developing countries : the role of quality improvement Article
In southern Tanzania, uptake of health facility births is high at 80%. Paradoxically, maternal and newborn mortality also remain high. These mortality rates are attributed to the poor quality of maternal and newborn health services. This one-page brochure details the role of the quality improvement for maternal and newborn health at district scale (QUADS2) intervention in improving maternal and newborn care. QUADS has helped to improve the level of understanding of key maternal and newborn health issues in each study district. Author(s): Manzi, Fatuma, Arafumin, Petro, Hanson, Claudia, Tancred, Tara Language: English |
Increasing ANC utilization : a qualitative realistic evaluation on the role of health facility quality improvement in Southern districts of Tanzania Report
The Quality Improvement (QI) approach is powerful for addressing gaps in provision of maternal health care at health facilities. Provision and uptake of Antenatal Care (ANC) during pregnancy is insufficient in Tanzania. The country has reported high maternal mortality rate (556 per 100,000 live births, 2015-2016) indicating the country is still far from achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3: Reducing maternal mortality to 70 per 100,000 live births. Results of adopting QI approaches show it has made an important contribution in increasing the uptake of services like ANC utilization at health facilities. Author(s): Gumi, Abdallah, Elibariki, Mkumbo, Yusuf, Kionga, Julius, Zamoyoni, Mwanaidi, Mlaguzi, Fatuma, Manzi Language: English |
Improving maternal and newborn health : measuring quality data at primary facilities and communities in developing countries Report
The Quality Improvement (QI) process addresses gaps to ensure mothers receive the care they need. The presentation reviews the QI project, which enhances use of data in order to inform what works, to improve maternal and newborn survival in low-income settings. It provides steps in the process for increasing awareness towards better outcomes at the community level. Registration of birth, as well as other life course statistics are essential to building and improving health care delivery. Training, coaching, mentorship, and leadership skills-strengthening are also important factors. Author(s): Manzi, Fatuma Language: English |