Comparative study of the provision of antenatal care services with special emphasis on at risk mothers in two MOH areas.

Abstract

A community based descriptive cross sectional study of pregnant women registered over a specified period in two MOH areas Matara and Akuressa was undertaken.A group of 380 pregnant women consisting of 16.3 per cent urban,34.7 per cent semi urban and 49 per cent rural whose expected date of delivery was between 15 th of September 1994 to 30 th of October 1994 was studied.An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used as the study instrument.Health education during home visits was found to be a deficient area.Testing urine for sugar and albumin was not done during home visits and examination of mothers at home was found to be incomplete.Study area showed a good coverage of protection by tetanus toxoid(98 per cent).Important examinations like testing urine for sugar and blood pressure were not done adequately in the clinics.It was recommended that supervision of field and clinic activities including logistics supply to be improved.Regular in service training for the field staff to update knowledge and skills and organized training for volunteer health workers were recommended to improve quality of care in clinics.Provision of medical officers to attend all the clinics was also recommended.