Accessibility of pregnancy-related point-of-care diagnostic tests for maternal healthcare in rural primary healthcare facilities in Northern Ghana: A cross-sectional survey

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01236
• Publication Date: 2019-02-19T07:35:01Z
• Authors: Desmond Kuupiel; Boikhutso Tlou; Vitalis Bawontuo; Tivani P. Mashamb...
• Keywords: Staffing; Cross-sectional study; Attendance

Improving access to maternal healthcare in resource-limited settings plays a critical role improving health outcomes and reducing deaths. However, barriers challenges may exist rural clinics could affect successful implementation. This study assessed the current accessibility of pregnancy-related point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests for primary (PHC) northern Ghana.We randomly selected 100 PHC providing from total list 356 clinicss obtained Regional Health Directorate. Selected were surveyed February March 2018, using an adopted survey tool. We data clinic-level staffing, availability, usage, desired POC tests. Stata 14 was used analysis.Majority (64%) respondents midwives. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) years work experience working hours per week estimated at 5.6 0.4 122 5.2 respectively. Average antenatal clinic attendance (clinic census) month 65 67 pregnant women (Range: 3-360). SD available use 4.9 2.2. malaria, HIV, urine pregnancy, blood pressure monitoring devices most clinics. requested by assist them care included: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (95%); hepatitis C (94%); sickling (91%); tuberculosis, glucose type (89%) each; urinary tract infection (87%); protein (81%); B (78%); haemoglobin (76%); syphilis (76%).There is poor due low availability (≤5 clinic) Ghana.