Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Maternal mortality remains a critical public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Health workers play a pivotal role in addressing this challenge, offering insights into the key drivers of maternal deaths. This study explores the perceptions of healthcare workers on the systemic, socioeconomic, cultural, and healthcare-related factors contributing to maternal mortality. Health workers identify systemic barriers, including understaffing, lack of resources, inadequate training, and inefficient referral systems, as significant contributors. Cultural and religious influences also impact maternal care, with societal norms often discouraging women from seeking professional healthcare. Additionally, socioeconomic factors like poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment further exacerbate the problem, limiting access to quality maternal care. Health workers’ insights are crucial in designing effective interventions, emphasizing the need for improved training, better healthcare infrastructure, and community engagement to address cultural barriers. This study highlights the importance of empowering healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality maternal care, suggesting that systemic reforms, including enhanced emergency obstetric care and better access to medical supplies, are essential for reducing maternal mortality rates. Understanding these perspectives can inform policies and programs aimed at improving maternal health outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings
Authors: Saidu Malgwi Hassan, Ernest Chinedu Okoli, Nelyn Akunna Okoye, Kelechi Nelson Adindu, Peter Kenechukwu Agbo
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4403554635