Quality of Reproductive Health Services With Emphasis on Structural Aspects in South Central Ethiopia
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Date
1998-12
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Health care services in developing countries are reported to suffer from low quality. A descriptive
cross-sectional study was conducted lO assess the quality of reproductive health care, with empbasis
on the structural as aspects in two administrative zones in south central Ethiopia. Of the 79 health
institut ions in tile study area, 74 were visited for a response rate of 94 %. Data were collected using
a queStionnaire adopted from the WHO Safe Motherhood Need Assessmem and dl~ WHO training
modules for EPI and STDs. Multip le stlu"tural defi ciencies were identitied in all components of
reproductive healtl1 care. Absolute minimum equipmelll for maternity and ll-e:onatal care were found
to be complete and adequate in 20(27 %) and 3(4.1 %) of the institu tions, respectively. Consumable
snpplies were available adequately in 13( 17.6%), sterili zer in 13(17.6%). essemi al drugs in 16
(2 1.6 %), ergometrine injection in 49 (66.2 %). and alcohol in 22 (29.7 %) of the institutions. In the
EPI sec tion, steam sterilizer was available in 45(60.8 %), and adequate vaccines in 57 (77 .0%) ohhe
institut ions. Only 1(1.4%) health institution had a complete mix of comraceptives. Impr,rtatlt
laboratory tes ts(syphilis test, hemoglobinometer, urine analys is) were available fully in on1)' one
(1.4%) health institution. Only 9(11. 1 %) health it15tito tions had adequate IEC materials ,on aLi
reproductive health components. More dIan hal f [44(59.4 % ) 1 of dIe health insti tutions had no water
source in their compound . Only 8( I 0.8 %) were found to Itave a te lephone or two-way radio. A thi rd,
25(33.8%), of the health institutions had no means of transport It is concluded liar the .5tructurai
setting for reproductive health servi;:.:es is very poor iu the maj ority of the health i:asti i.i.HioIlS.
Recommendations include that besides cOllsuucting new beaJdl institutions, !'tl"Ong emphasis .sbould
be given 011 revitalizing tbe ex isting health ilL')titutioilS by ronecting structural defidencies \I,ri rl!oul
delay .
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Keywords
Quality of Reproductive Health Services