Experiences of Community Members on Reporting Community Maternal Deaths in Mangochi District of Malawi

Jane Dzoole¹, Mercy Pindani^2*, Alfred Maluwa²

¹Kamuzu Central Hospital, Ethel Muthalika Maternity Wing, Lilongwe, Malawi.
²Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.

DOI: 10.4236/ojn.2015.53027                

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of community stakeholders on reporting community maternal deaths to relevant authorities in Mangochi District of Malawi. The study employed qualitative hermeneutic phenomenology approach to data collection, analysis and interpretation. It was conducted in three health zones of Mangochi district which are Monkey-bay, Mangochi boma and Namwera zones. Purposive sampling was used to select major community stakeholders on issues of safe motherhood and these were; Village heads, Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs), safe motherhood volunteers and members of village health committees (VHCs). A total of eighteen in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted. Descriptive statistics were computed for the demographic variables and the qualitative data were analysed using modified Colaizzi (1978) method based on Heideggerian and Gademerian philosophy. Findings showed that community maternal deaths were not always reported because there were no records in the district. Most participants lacked knowledge on the process and their role in reporting community maternal deaths despite knowing the importance of reporting such deaths. However, findings indicated a positive perception of participants towards reporting community maternal deaths to authorities. The study recommends that health education be offered to community members and Health Surveillance Assistants regarding reporting maternal deaths to improve the situation.

Keywords

Community Maternal Deaths, Community Members, Reporting, Safe Motherhood, Maternal Death Surveillance and Response, Maternal Health

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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