Stakeholders perceptions regarding implementing maternal and newborn health care programs in Rwanda

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Maternal and Child Health

Background:

• Maternal and newborn deaths in Rwanda are decreasing but require further reduction to meet sustainable development goals.
• Effective implementation of maternal and newborn health care programs necessitates robust monitoring and evaluation.
• Stakeholder insights are vital for identifying and addressing program deficiencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore stakeholder perceptions of the Rwandan maternal and newborn health care program.
• To identify specific areas for improvement within the program.
• To inform strategies for enhancing maternal and newborn health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Convergent, parallel, mixed-method study utilizing quantitative and qualitative data.
• Quantitative data collected from 79 healthcare workers using the Project Implementation Profile (PIP) instrument.
• Qualitative data gathered through interviews with five nurse managers, analyzed using manifest inductive content analysis.

Main Results:

• Disagreement exists regarding top management support, with concerns about inadequate training, resources, and supervision.
• Human resource shortages, including insufficient trained staff, were identified as a significant concern.
• Challenges in managing unexpected problems, such as patient transport and lack of qualified birth attendants, were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Top management support, human resources, and efficient problem-solving are critical areas for program enhancement.
• The Project Implementation Profile (PIP) can guide managers in improving the maternal and newborn health care program.
• Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are essential for achieving reduced maternal and neonatal mortality rates.