Women's experiences and satisfaction with maternal referral service in Northern Ghana: A qualitative inquiry.

Ameyaw, EK; Amoah, RM; Njue, C; Tran, NT; Dawson, A

Women's experiences and satisfaction with maternal referral service in Northern Ghana: A qualitative inquiry.

Ameyaw, EK Amoah, RM Njue, C

Tran, NT Dawson, A

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Midwifery, 2021, 101
Issue Date:: 2021-10

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ameyaw, EK
dc.contributor.author	Amoah, RM
dc.contributor.author	Njue, C https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9325-3565
dc.contributor.author	Tran, NT
dc.contributor.author	Dawson, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-2202
dc.date.accessioned	2022-01-25T15:22:41Z
dc.date.available	2021-06-02
dc.date.available	2022-01-25T15:22:41Z
dc.date.issued	2021-10
dc.identifier.citation	Midwifery, 2021, 101
dc.identifier.issn	0266-6138
dc.identifier.issn	1532-3099
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/153570
dc.description.abstract	Objective To gain insights and improve existing referral structures with maternity care in Northern region of Ghana, this study explored the referral experiences and satisfaction of women. Research design Twenty women referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for maternal health conditions were interviewed along with three husdands of these women between January and April 2020. An interview guide was used in individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The transcripts were inductively coded using content analysis. The study was guided by the three delays model and the availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality framework. Findings The study revealed seven key themes. These are women's involvement in referral decision; available health workers and care at the first facility; inadequate transportation; communication between facilities; quality of care at the receiving hospital; worth the time and money; and women's companions during referral. While several women acknowledged and appreciated the care and emotional support they received in the hospitals they first presented to, some women reported poor attitudes of healthcare providers. Most women acknowledged that there was no communication between the facilities for the referral. A woman's socioeconomic status appeared to determine the respect and support she received from healthcare providers. Key conclusions To ensure a responsive and efficient referral service, the central government of Ghana should commit to ensuring that each district hospital has at least one ambulance for effective emergency transportation. Career progression opportunities need to be explored for health workers in northern Ghana to attract and retain more professionals. To prevent abuse and ensure empathetic and supportive care, testimonial videos may help health providers to assess the services they provide to women. During referral, inter-facility communication can be strengthened through effective supervision and dedicated mobile phones for communication between health facilities.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Midwifery
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.midw.2021.103065
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
dc.subject	1110 Nursing, 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine, 1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Nursing
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Ghana
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	Personal Satisfaction
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Referral and Consultation
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Personal Satisfaction
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	Referral and Consultation
dc.subject.mesh	Ghana
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.title	Women's experiences and satisfaction with maternal referral service in Northern Ghana: A qualitative inquiry.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	101
utslib.location.activity	Scotland
utslib.for	1110 Nursing
utslib.for	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
utslib.copyright.embargo	2022-10-01T00:00:00+1000Z
dc.date.updated	2022-01-25T15:22:40Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	101

Abstract:

Objective To gain insights and improve existing referral structures with maternity care in Northern region of Ghana, this study explored the referral experiences and satisfaction of women. Research design Twenty women referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for maternal health conditions were interviewed along with three husdands of these women between January and April 2020. An interview guide was used in individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The transcripts were inductively coded using content analysis. The study was guided by the three delays model and the availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality framework. Findings The study revealed seven key themes. These are women's involvement in referral decision; available health workers and care at the first facility; inadequate transportation; communication between facilities; quality of care at the receiving hospital; worth the time and money; and women's companions during referral. While several women acknowledged and appreciated the care and emotional support they received in the hospitals they first presented to, some women reported poor attitudes of healthcare providers. Most women acknowledged that there was no communication between the facilities for the referral. A woman's socioeconomic status appeared to determine the respect and support she received from healthcare providers. Key conclusions To ensure a responsive and efficient referral service, the central government of Ghana should commit to ensuring that each district hospital has at least one ambulance for effective emergency transportation. Career progression opportunities need to be explored for health workers in northern Ghana to attract and retain more professionals. To prevent abuse and ensure empathetic and supportive care, testimonial videos may help health providers to assess the services they provide to women. During referral, inter-facility communication can be strengthened through effective supervision and dedicated mobile phones for communication between health facilities.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/153570