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 Ababa University
Abstract
Health care services in developing countries are reported to suffer from low quality. A descriptive
cross-sectional stud y was conducted to assess the quality of reproductive health care, with emphasis
all the structural as aspects in two administrative zones in somh central Ethiopia. Of the 79 health
institutions in the stud y area, 74 were visited for a response rate of 94 %. Data were collected using
a questiowlllire adopted from dIe WHO Safe Motherhood Need Assessment and dle WHO training
modules for EP[ and STDs. Mult iple structu ral defi ciencies were identi fied in all components of
reproductive l1ea1th care. Absolute minimlUll equipment for maternity and neonatal care were found
10 be complete and adequate in 20(27 %) and 3(4. 1 %) of the ins titu tions, respectively. Consumable
supplies were avai lable adequately in 13(17.6%), ste ri lizer in 13(17 .6%), essential drugs iu 16
(21.6%), ergometrine injection i0 49 (66.2%), and alcohol in 22 (29. 7%) oftlle institutions. [n the
EP[ section, steam steri lizer was available in 45(60.8 %), and adequa te vaccines in 57 (77 .0%) of the
ins titutions . Only 1( 1.4%) health institution had a complete mix of contraceptives. Important
laboralOry tests(syphilis test, hemoglobi nometer. urine atllllysis) were available fu lly in only one
( 1.4%) health ins ti tution. Only 9(12. 1 %) health insti tutions had adequate [EC materials on all
reproductive health components. More than haH [44(59.4% )[ of tlle healtll institutionsilad no water
source in tlle ircompound. Only 8(10.8 %) were found 10 have a telephone or two-way radio. A thi rd.
25(33.8%), of the heal III institu tions had no means of transport. ft is concluded that the Structural
setring for reproductive health services is very poor in [he majority of [he bealth institu tions.
Recolllmendations include that besides constructing new health instiru tions, strong emphasis should
be given Oll revitalizing the existing health illStitutions by correcting stnlcrural deficiencies without
delay.
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Keywords
Quality of Reproductive Health Se.-Vices