Authors: Yemane Berhane Tesfau, Tesfay Gebregzabher Gebrehiwot, Hagos Godefay Debeb, Alemayehu Bayray Kahsay
In this qualitative study, researchers aimed to assess the feasibility and potential challenges of scheduled postnatal home visits, or PNHVs, in Northern Ethiopia. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews with 42 health extension workers and women who had given birth in the last year. Uncovered themes touched upon health system factors, community contexts, individual factors, consequences, and recommendations. Overall, participants reported that little attention from the government and health systems leaders was given to postnatal care. Additionally, HEWs reported having too many responsibilities, and likely being unable to commit to scheduled home visits. Overall, researchers found several potential barriers to HEWs delivering home-based postnatal services, therefore calling for strong political commitment, increased attention of healthcare authorities to postnatal care both at the facility and home, and a stronger monitoring and evaluation system.
Link: “Mothers will be lucky if utmost receive a single scheduled postnatal home visit”: An exploratory qualitative study, Northern Ethiopia
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Resource Topic: Health extension workers (HEWs), Home-based services, Postnatal care
Resource Type: Research
Year: 2022
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: Ethiopia
Publisher May Restrict Access: No