BASIC EMERGENCY MATERNAL AND NEONATAL CARE STATUS OF SOUTH GONDAR ZONE, NORTH CENTRAL ETHIOPIA: INSTITUTIONAL DESCRIPTIVE SURVEY, JUNE 2016

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Globally; an estimated 303,000 maternal deaths, two million intrapartum-related stillbirths and neonatal deaths occur annually. The majority of the deaths occur around the time of childbirth and three fourth are preventable with BEmONC services. OBJECTIVE: To assessed status of emergency maternal and neonatal care in south Gondar zone, North central Ethiopia. METHODS: Institutional descriptive survey was conducted from January to June 2016 on 89 public health facilities including one general hospital using WHO and AMDD questionnaires. The signal functions of BEmONC were determined. RESULT: About 94.4%, 96.6% and 79.8% of health facilities administered parenteral antibiotics, parenteral oxytocics and parenteral anti-convulsant three months before the study period respectively. More than nine in ten (91%) of facilities had performed removal of retained products in the last 3 months. More than nine in ten 93.3% of health facilities were used partograph to manage labor. The hospital performed all CEmONC signal functions. Nineteen percent of the health facilities provided intensive care to a preterm or low birth weight. Majority of health facilities (80.9%) were not provided the service due to 50.7% no separate pediatric or intensive care unit for infants, (25.4%) lack of supplies, lack of training16.9% and no indication (4.2%). CONCLUSION: About one in three of the health facilities had performed newborn resuscitation and used partograph. Majority of the health facilities had not provided special or intensive care to a preterm or low birth weight baby in the last three months. The regional health bureau and other responsible stake holders should train professionals on breech delivery and avail supplies and solve management issues. KEY WORDS : Signal functions, BEmONC, Ethiopia. (Ethiopian Journal of Reproductive Health 2017;9:7--16)