EDITORIAL:Time for Action: Audit, Accountability and Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in Nigeria
), Friday Okonofua(2),
(1)
(2)
Corresponding Author
Abstract
Improving the quality of care is essential for achieving reductions in maternal mortality. Audit is one of the methods which can be used to simultaneously assess as well as improve quality. This commentary discusses one type of audit – confidential enquiries into maternal death. We believe that the enthusiasm for establishing a confidential enquiry system in Nigeria is growing. The challenges faced in setting up an audit system are discussed and 6 steps are proposed to locate the conduct of a confidential enquiry as part of a set of activities which will take cognizance of existing know-how, create shared ownership and provide a coherent picture of needs and information gaps in the provision of quality maternity services. Having such a system in place can be a route towards achieving a progressive vision of accountability for the reduction of maternal mortality in Nigeria (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[1]:9-14).
Résumé
Temps d’agir: Vérification, responsabilité et enquêtes confidentielles sur les décès maternels au Nigéria : L’amélioration de la qualité de soin est nécessaire pour assurer les réductions dans la mortalité maternelle. La vérification est une des méthodes qu’on peut utiliser simultanément pour évaluer et améliorer la qualité. Ce commentaire discute un type de vérification – les enquêtes confidentielles sur le décès maternel. Nous sommes persuadés que l’enthousiasme pour l’établissement d’un système d’enquête confidentielle au Nigéria s’accroît. Les défis auxquels l’on fait face quand on établit un système de vérification sont discutés et nous proposons six démarches pour situer la conduite d’une enquête confidentielle comme faisant partie d’une série d’activités qui tiendront en compte le savoir-faire actuel, qui créeront une priorité partagée et rendront une image cohérente des besoins et des déficiences au niveau de l’information en matière de la dispensation des services de maternité de bonne qualité. Si l’on met un tel système en place, il pourra être un moyen d’accomplir une vision progressive de responsabilité pour la réduction de la mortalité maternelle au Nigéria (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[1]:9-14).
References
Okonofua FE. Maternal mortality prevention in Africa-need to focus on access and quality of care. Afr J Reprod Health. 2008; 12(3):9-16.
Graham WJ, Varghese B Quality, quality, quality: gaps in the continuum of care. Lancet. 2011; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62267-2.
World Bank. Improving the odds of reaching the MDGs: Global Monitoring report 2011 Available at: http://go.worldbank.org/SUEMHZMEW0 Accessed 22 Dec 2011.
Raven J, Hofman J, Adegoke A, van den Broek N. Methodology and tools for quality improvement in maternal and newborn health care. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2011; 114(1):4-9.
Althabe F, Bergel E, Cafferata ML, Gibbons L, Ciapponi A, Alemán A, Colantonio L, Palacios AR.
Strategies for improving the quality of health care in maternal and child health in low- and middleincome countries: an overview of systematic reviews. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2008; 22(Suppl 1):42-60.
World Health Organization. Beyond the numbers:
reviewing maternal deaths and complications to
make pregnancy safer. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2004.
Donabedian A. An introduction to quality assurance in health care. Oxford University Press, London, 2003.
Pirkle CM, Dumont A, Zunzunegui MV. Criterion-based clinical audit to assess quality of obstetrical care in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Int J Qual Health Care.
;23(4):456-63.
Hussein J. Improving the use of confidential enquiries into maternal deaths in developing countries Bull World Health Organ. 2007; 85(1): 68-69.
Hussein J, D'Ambruoso L, Armar-Klemesu M, Achadi E, Arhinful D, Izati Y, Ansong-Tornui J. Confidential inquiries into maternal deaths: Modifications and adaptations in Ghana and Indonesia. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2009; 106(1): 80-84.
National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] and ICF Macro. Nigeria Demographic and Health.
Article Metrics
Abstract View
: 423 times
Download : 0 times
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
