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Mambulance: An innovative intervention to reduce maternal deaths in rural manafwa and mbale districts of Uganda
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Achieving the fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG5) by reducing maternal deaths remains a significant challenge in Uganda. Uganda has a high Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 438/100,000 live births with the life-risk of 1 in 27 women dying in pregnancy. One of the many underlying factors that contribute to high MMR is delay in reaching an emergency obstetric care (EmOC) facility. Evidence indicates that access to appropriate health care including timely referrals to EmOC services can significantly reduce maternal deaths. With regional differences in MMR, it is estimated that 75% of maternal deaths in the rural Manafwa and Mbale districts in Uganda are associated with low utilization of EmOC services due to multiple access barriers including distance to the nearest health center. The objective of the project was to assess referral time, acceptability, and feasibility of motorcycle ambulances (mAmbulances) for referral of obstetric emergencies to the nearest Health Facility and to compare the referral delays and costs with those of a 4WD vehicle ambulance. The mean duration of referral to reach a health facility for all emergency obstetric cases varied between 1:01-1:09 hrs. In resource-poor Uganda, mAmbulances are a useful means of referral for emergency obstetric care, particularly under circumstances where health centers have no access to other transport or means of communication to call for a vehicle ambulance and a relatively cost-effective option for the health sector. By providing on-site, designated EmOC referral transport at rural health facilities, the mAmbulances can fill a critical gap in maternal services.
Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Assess referral time, acceptability, and feasibility of motorcycle ambulances(mAmbulance) for referral of obstetric emergencies to the nearest Health Facility and to compare the referral delays and costs with those of a 4WD vehicle ambulance.
Keyword(s): Access and Services, Health Care Access
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Alakananda joined Kissito Healthcare in 2008.In this role, she is responsible for health care utilization and outcomes research primarily focusing on post-acute care services across different post-acute care settings. Alakananda holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Journalism & Mass Communication degree from India and a Master of Public Health degree with a Global Health concentration from The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
