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Strategies to Reduce Maternal Death Rate and Improve the Provision of Quality Healthcare Services in Selected Hospitals of Vhembe District Limpopo Province: A Qualitative Study Report
Mahada, T.; Tshitangano, T.G.; Mudau, A.G. Strategies to Reduce Maternal Death Rate and Improve the Provision of Quality Healthcare Services in Selected Hospitals of Vhembe District Limpopo Province. Nurs. Rep.2023, 13, 1251-1270.
Mahada, T.; Tshitangano, T.G.; Mudau, A.G. Strategies to Reduce Maternal Death Rate and Improve the Provision of Quality Healthcare Services in Selected Hospitals of Vhembe District Limpopo Province. Nurs. Rep. 2023, 13, 1251-1270.
Mahada, T.; Tshitangano, T.G.; Mudau, A.G. Strategies to Reduce Maternal Death Rate and Improve the Provision of Quality Healthcare Services in Selected Hospitals of Vhembe District Limpopo Province. Nurs. Rep.2023, 13, 1251-1270.
Mahada, T.; Tshitangano, T.G.; Mudau, A.G. Strategies to Reduce Maternal Death Rate and Improve the Provision of Quality Healthcare Services in Selected Hospitals of Vhembe District Limpopo Province. Nurs. Rep. 2023, 13, 1251-1270.
Abstract
The maternal death rate remains high in South Africa despite the availability of many existing strategies to improve the quality of service. A 30% increase in maternal mortality rate was reported between 2020-2021, with Limpopo ranking fourth highest out of nine provinces. Vhembe district remained number three with a high maternal death rate. This study explored strategies to reduce the maternal death rate and improve the provision of quality maternal healthcare services in selected hospitals of Vhembe district, Limpopo province. One hospital was purposively sampled from every four municipalities. A qualitative approach using phenomenological design was employed. Twenty-eight participants were sampled using a convenience sampling method. The semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data. An audio recorder was also used until data saturation. Data saturation was reached at the 20th participant, but the researcher continued until 28 sampled participants were interviewed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used following the analytical stages of interpretative data analysis. The study proposal was ethically cleared by the University of Venda Ethics Committee (FHS/22/PH/08/3108). Results indicate that despite implementing strategies to improve maternal healthcare services and reduce the maternal death rate, several factors, such as lack of material resources, shortage of staff, incompetent staff, and poor infection control, affect the quality of maternal health service in Vhembe district. Limpopo Department of Health and hospital management should ensure that hospitals have all necessary resources and support healthcare professionals through in-service training to ensure the functionality of existing strategies.
Public Health and Healthcare, Public Health and Health Services
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