Emergency Obstetric Care-A protocol of a Situational Analysis in the Country Context of Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Despite a consistently decreasing trend, maternal and infant mortality rates still remain a challenge in Bangladesh. This shows that there is a need for constant efforts to improve accessibility and quality of maternal and child care and implement what is reflected in recent policy documents, issued by the government, which is reinforced by a number of related surveys and research studies. Aim: The goal of this analysis is to examine the current situation and needs of emergency obstetric care in Bangladesh by establishing a baseline of the availability, utilization, and quality of maternal health care services. Study design: Corporate approach will be used for this situational analysis to generate data. Data collection methods will be key informants interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Data will also be collated from secondary sources as for example District hospital, Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), Director General (DG) Health, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and literature review. Conclusion: In order to reduce high maternal mortality and morbidity, high utilization of EmONC is necessary. This situational analysis will project an in-depth understanding of the coverage and availability of the emergency obstetric care and also will highlight the factors facilitating and preventing the use of emergency obstetric care services in the district of Sylhet in Bangladesh and it is anticipated that the results from this analysis will contribute to an evidence-based refinement and planning of even more effective strategies for further reducing maternal mortality.