Optimizing primary health care in Burkina Faso: an approach informed by EQUIST

Burkina Faso has made access to primary health care a national priority by including it in the 2021-2030 national health development plan.

Our study aimed to analyze the causes of inequalities in access to primary health care, priority interventions and strategies for strengthening primary health care, and their potential impact on reducing maternal and infant mortality.

Diarrheal diseases, malaria, and pneumonia are the main causes of inequalities in infant and child deaths in rural areas. As for maternal deaths, abortion and its complications are the main causes of inequalities in deaths associated with hypertensive disorders. The Sahel, Boucle du Mouhoun, Center-North, East, and Cascades regions are the geographical areas where interventions are essential to reduce inequalities in maternal, neonatal, infant and child deaths and malnutrition.

The national priorities have included all the high-impact interventions for strengthening primary health care identified in our study. Interventions must prioritize the populations in rural areas, the most affected and high-impact geographical regions. This requires the involvement and empowerment of beneficiary communities and the consideration of the fragile safety context.