The role of partners in promoting self-care for misoprostol and subcutaneous DMPA in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Pakistan is among a number of countries facing protracted challenges in addressing maternal mortality with a concomitant weak healthcare system complexed with inequities. Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) self-care interventions offer the best solution for improving access to quality healthcare services with efficiency and economy. This manuscript documents country experience in introducing and scaling up two selected SRHR self-care interventions. A prospective qualitative study design was used and a semi-structured questionnaire was shared with identified SRHR private sector partners selected through convenience and purposive sampling. The two interventions include the use of misoprostol for postpartum hemorrhage and the use of subcutaneous depomedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) as injectable contraceptive method. Data collection was done through emails and telephone follow-up calls. RESULTS: Nine of the 13 partners consulted for the study responded. The two selected self-care interventions are mainly supported by private sector partners (national and international nongovernmental organizations) having national or subnational existence. Their mandates include all relevant areas, such as policy advocacy, field implementation, trainings, supervision and monitoring. A majority of partners reported experience related to the use of misoprostol; it was introduced more than a decade ago, is registered and is procured by both public and private sectors. Subcutaneous DMPA is a new intervention, having been introduced only recently, and commodity availability remains a challenge. It is being delivered through health workers/providers and is not promoted as a self-administered contraceptive. Community engagement and awareness raising is reported as an essential element of successful field implementation; however, no beneficiary data was collected for the study. Training approaches differ considerably, are standalone or integrated with SRHR topics and their duration varies between 1 and 5 days, covering a range of cadres. CONCLUSION: Pubic sector ownership and patronage is essential for introducing and scaling up self-care interventions as a measure to support the healthcare system in delivering quality sexual and reproductive health services. Supervision, monitoring and reporting are areas requiring further support, as well as the leadership and governance role of the public sector. Standardization of trainings, community awareness, supervision, monitoring and reporting are required together with integration of self-care in routine capacity building activities (pre- and in-service) on sexual and reproductive health in the country.

Determinants of over and underuse of caesarean births in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: an updated review.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region shows a huge disparity in caesarean birth practice among its 22 Member States. Little research has been conducted at the Regional level to determine the underlying causes. AIMS: This study aimed at exploring the available evidence on key determinants of high and low caesarean birth rates in the Region. METHODS: A scoping literature review was performed. We searched PubMed and Medline with keywords "determinants of caesarean birth/caesarean section" and "caesarean birth/caesarean section trend" in the Region during 2000-2017. We included cohort studies, case-control studies, systematic reviews and reviews published in peer-reviewed journals. Latest data about demographics and socioeconomic indicators of maternal and child health care were extracted from demographic health surveys and situational analyses from Member States and WHO Statistics 2015. Fifty-seven of 395 studies met the inclusion criteria. These determinants were discussed in a conceptual framework based on Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, 2001. RESULTS: Lack of access to facility-based delivery and absence of skilled birth attendants were mainly responsible for the low caesarean birth rate in the Region. Social, cultural, individual and institutional factors affecting women's choice for childbirth have contributed to the high caesarean birth rate. CONCLUSION: A multidimensional approach is required to explore these determinants to optimize the Regional caesarean birth rate. Further qualitative studies are needed to investigate how these factors affect choice of birthing process in specific cultural settings in the Region.

A review of family planning policies and services in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region Member States.

BACKGROUND: Family planning (FP) is a cost-effective public health and development intervention. Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), has one of the lowest contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) and high unmet need for family planning. AIMS: The aim of this review is to assist Member States in highlighting those areas that need strengthening to improve quality of FP services in information and commodity supplies. METHODS: A structured questionnaire focusing on FP services was sent to 22 Member States of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region between August and December, 2015. Sixteen (73%) countries responded. RESULTS: Family planning services are part of the basic health benefits package and are delivered at hospitals, primary healthcare centres and outreach clinics to all women regardless of their ability to pay in the majority of Member States. In 16 Member States the family planning/birth spacing (FP/BS) counselling and FP methods are provided by general practitioner/ family doctor, nurses and midwives. In many Member States the services are integrated with child health, STI and HIV services. In 16 Member States FP/BS is part of the pre- and in-service training programmes for all cadres of healthcare providers. FP/BS is actively promoted through effective social marketing of FP/BS methods in two thirds of Member States. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the survey indicate that national policies and programmes endorse FP to achieve national targets. Despite progress in many areas in FP services, many countries still struggle with weak implementation of FP programmes. There are also policy gaps for key vulnerable groups including the poor, the disabled and adolescents. This review highlighted policy and programmatic gaps required to strengthen those FP services that can help improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Special programmes for adolescents, refugees and persons with disabilities need to be streamlined and strengthened.

Research gaps and emerging priorities in sexual and reproductive health in Africa and the eastern Mediterranean regions.

BACKGROUND: In-country research capacity is key to creating improvements in local implementation of health programs and can help prioritize health issues in a landscape of limited funding. Research prioritization has shown to be particularly useful to help answer strategic and programmatic issues in health care, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH). The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a priority setting exercise that brought together researchers and program managers from the WHO Africa and Eastern Mediterranean regions to identify key SRH issues. METHODS: In June 2015, researchers and program managers from the WHO Africa and Eastern Mediterranean regions met for a three-day meeting to discuss strategies to strengthen research capacity in the regions. A prioritization exercise was carried out to identify key priority areas for research in SRH. The process included five criteria: answerability, effectiveness, deliverability and acceptability, potential impact of the intervention/program to improve reproductive, maternal and newborn health substantially, and equity. RESULTS: The six main priorities identified include: creation and investment in multipurpose prevention technologies, addressing adolescent violence and early pregnancy (especially in the context of early marriage), improved maternal and newborn emergency care, increased evaluation and improvement of adolescent health interventions including contraception, further focus on family planning uptake and barriers, and improving care for mothers and children during childbirth. CONCLUSION: The setting of priorities is the first step in a dynamic process to identify where research funding should be focused to maximize health benefits. The key elements identified in this exercise provides guidance for decision makers to focus action on identified research priorities and goals. Prioritization and identifying/acting on research gaps can have great impact across multiple sectors in the regions for improved reproductive, maternal and children health.