Birth Across the Borders: Exploring Service Provision through Saving Lives, Saving Babies

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Background
Maternal mortality and morbidity lead to complex global development challenges which have a lasting impact on the well-being and function of families. Understanding the unique contextual and cultural risk factors associated with poor maternal healthcare is critical to the implementation of services in remote and fragile settings.
Aim and Objectives
Analyse contextual and cultural factors influencing the delivery of emergency obstetric care within three rural and remote regions of Myanmar. Examine the training and service delivery available to women in remote areas. Develop recommendation for key stakeholders to identify and implement practical solutions to identified challenges. This is one component of a larger integrated maternal health research programme.
Method
A mixed methods approach was utilised with a survey, focus groups and 1-1 interviews with key stakeholders including regional health departments, Medics, Midwives and EmOC trained health care workers (HCWs). The research tools were designed to incorporate six key constructs: culture, context, maternal and infant health, education and entrepreneurship. Data was collected in seven village tracts across three regions of Myanmar. Quantitative Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics utilising SPSS. Qualitive data was analysed using Braun and Clarke thematic analysis framework. Ethical approval was granted by Ulster University Ethics Committee. Local permission was granted.
Findings
Preliminary results demonstrate cultural challenges including low levels of education, limited access to maternity services and poor infrastructure with a shortage of trained health care staff. Contextual challenges include a lack of resources, ongoing conflict and breakdown of multi-disciplinary communication is creating critical delays in care.
Conclusion and Impact
Mapping and integrating cultural and contextual barriers into education in regions with limited midwifery care is critical for strengthening service delivery and improving maternal health outcomes. In conflict settings the need to build strong and effective multi-disciplinary partnerships is an essential first step in securing longer term implementation of evidence into reality.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 7 Mar 2024
EventTrinity Health and Education International
Research Conference 2024: New Horizons in Healthcare: Global Impact, Local Relevance
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 5 Mar 20247 Mar 2024
https://nursing-midwifery.tcd.ie/events-conferences/THEconference2024/

Conference

ConferenceTrinity Health and Education International
Research Conference 2024
Abbreviated titleTHEconf2024
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityDublin
Period5/03/247/03/24
Internet address

Keywords

  • Birth
  • Midwifery
  • Sustainability

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