Mariana Widmer1, Ana P Betran, Mario Merialdi, Jennifer Requejo, Ted Karpf. 1. UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. widmerm@who.int
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Global disparities in maternal and newborn health represent one of the starkest health inequities of our times. Faith-based organizations (FBOs) have historically played an important role in providing maternal/newborn health services in African countries. However, the contribution of FBOs in service delivery is insufficiently recognized and mapped. OBJECTIVES: A systematic review of the literature to assess available evidence on the role of FBOs in the area of maternal/newborn health care in Africa. SEARCH STRATEGY: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for articles published between 1989 and 2009 on maternal/newborn health and FBOs in Africa. RESULTS: Six articles met the criteria for inclusion. These articles provided information on 6 different African countries. Maternal/newborn health services provided by FBOs were similar to those offered by governments, but the quality of care received and the satisfaction were reported to be better. CONCLUSION: Efforts to document and analyze the contribution of FBOs in maternal/newborn health are necessary to increase the recognition of FBOs and to establish stronger partnerships with them in Africa as an untapped route to achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.
BACKGROUND: Global disparities in maternal and newborn health represent one of the starkest health inequities of our times. Faith-based organizations (FBOs) have historically played an important role in providing maternal/newborn health services in African countries. However, the contribution of FBOs in service delivery is insufficiently recognized and mapped. OBJECTIVES: A systematic review of the literature to assess available evidence on the role of FBOs in the area of maternal/newborn health care in Africa. SEARCH STRATEGY: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for articles published between 1989 and 2009 on maternal/newborn health and FBOs in Africa. RESULTS: Six articles met the criteria for inclusion. These articles provided information on 6 different African countries. Maternal/newborn health services provided by FBOs were similar to those offered by governments, but the quality of care received and the satisfaction were reported to be better. CONCLUSION: Efforts to document and analyze the contribution of FBOs in maternal/newborn health are necessary to increase the recognition of FBOs and to establish stronger partnerships with them in Africa as an untapped route to achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.
Authors: Gaurav Sharma; Matthews Mathai; Kim E Dickson; Andrew Weeks; G Hofmeyr; Tina Lavender; Louise Day; Jiji Mathews; Sue Fawcus; Aline Simen-Kapeu; Luc de Bernis Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2015-09-11 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Robert Kaba Alhassan; Edward Nketiah-Amponsah; Nicole Spieker; Daniel Kojo Arhinful; Alice Ogink; Paul van Ostenberg; Tobias F Rinke de Wit Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-11-30 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: G K Ryan; E Nwefoh; C Aguocha; P O Ode; S O Okpoju; P Ocheche; A Woyengikuro; J Abdulmalik; J Eaton Journal: Int J Ment Health Syst Date: 2020-02-21