African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Healthcare workers' perspectives on patient bypassing of Primary Health Care facilities in Mpumalanga province, South Africa.","authors":"Thobelani N Majola, Ntombifuthi Blose, Mashudu Mthethwa, Zinhle Mtwane, Algernon M Africa, Matome S Mokganya, James M Burnett, Noluthando Ndlovu, Ashnie Padarath","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5368","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5368","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> South Africa's Referral Policy and Implementation Guidelines aim to ensure continuity of care, manage patient flow, and improve health system efficiency. However, in Mpumalanga province, a growing number of patients bypass Primary Health Care (PHC) clinics and seek hospital services without formal referral. This trend undermines the structured referral pathway and strains healthcare resources.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study sought to identify the key factors that influence patients to bypass PHC facilities in Mpumalanga province.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> The study was conducted across the three districts in Mpumalanga province.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A qualitative exploratory design was employed to better understand the factors influencing patients to bypass PHC clinics from the perspective of healthcare workers (HCWs). Using purposive sampling techniques, key informant interviews were conducted with 20 HCWs from 10 selected hospitals. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data was conducted using an inductive approach, with NVivo® software facilitating systematic coding, theme development and data organisation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Key factors that influenced patients to bypass included a lack of adherence to the referral system, perceptions of poor quality at PHC facilities, long waiting times, negative HCWs' attitudes and concerns pertaining to stigma and confidentiality.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Insights gained from this study contribute to the understanding of factors that lead patients to bypass PHC facilities.Contribution: By understanding the underlying reasons for such bypassing, policymakers and healthcare providers can develop targeted interventions to enhance the quality and utilisation of PHC services. Moreover, addressing these challenges is crucial for achieving equitable healthcare access.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247651/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Management of progressive joint disorders by non-physician healthcare providers in South Africa: A mapping study to inform pharmacist integration.","authors":"Tumelo Modau, Demitri Constantinou, Ané Orchard","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5281","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5281","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Progressive joint disorders (PJDs), including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are leading causes of disability worldwide. Early multidisciplinary intervention is critical; however, delayed non-pharmacological management, fragmented referral pathways and limited integration of pharmacists, despite their potential role in medication management and early 'red flag' identification, remain common.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> To identify which PJDs are managed by which healthcare providers, to inform pharmacist referral pathways and promote integrated care.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> Non-physician healthcare providers (HCPs) in South Africa, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, osteopaths, biokineticists and other complementary therapy providers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was administered via REDCap® and distributed by professional bodies through email and professional association platform advertisements. Descriptive statistics and quantitative content analysis assessed condition management, referral practices and collaboration.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> A total of 266 HCPs participated. Osteoarthritis (91.7%) and RA (84.6%) were the most managed conditions. High interprofessional collaboration was noted with physiotherapists (71.4%) and limited with pharmacists (23.3%). Most providers (76.3%) did not require referral letters. Referrals to and from other providers were common, but incoming referrals varied by profession. Internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's α 0.70).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Progressive joint disorders were predominantly managed by chiropractors, physiotherapists and biokineticists. Referral pathways were inconsistent, and pharmacist integration remained limited.Contribution: This study presents the first national mapping of non-physician roles in PJD management in South Africa, providing critical insights for future development of pharmacist-inclusive referral guidelines.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247662/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preventing maternal deaths from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy through strengthening of primary care services.","authors":"Olive P Khaliq, Jagidesa Moodley, Nnabuike C Ngene","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5364","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5364","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e2"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247647/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Family medicine and primary health care in Liberia.","authors":"David Okiror, Ibrahim Sanoe","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5402","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5402","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This country profile examines the development of family medicine (FM) and primary health care (PHC) in Liberia, a low-income West African nation with significant health and socioeconomic challenges. Liberia's PHC system is structured across three tiers and relies heavily on community health workers to serve dispersed and underserved populations. Family medicine is an emerging specialty, crucial for strengthening PHC and advancing universal health coverage, especially in rural areas facing workforce shortages. The Family Medicine Specialty Training Program, launched in 2017, addresses the deficit of rural healthcare providers through comprehensive, context-specific education and rural rotations. Family physicians contribute at multiple levels of the health system, providing clinical care, mentorship, and leadership. The Society of Family Physicians of Liberia supports professional development and advocacy. Despite ongoing challenges, Liberia's integration of FM and PHC, supported by national and international partnerships, demonstrates significant progress and offers valuable lessons for building resilient health systems in low-resource settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13247666/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The health effects of extreme heat.","authors":"Sa'ad Lahri","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5372","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5372","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Extreme heat is a significant direct health threat from climate change, with rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves increasingly stressing communities and health services across Africa. High baseline temperatures, widespread outdoor labour, limited cooling access and structural vulnerabilities heighten population exposure. The physiological impacts are severe: from extreme heat overwhelming thermoregulation, leading to dehydration, cardiovascular strain, direct cellular injury and potentially rapid progression to heat exhaustion, to the most severe and dangerous form, heat stroke, which is a medical emergency characterised by a core body temperature 40 °C and central nervous system dysfunction such as confusion, seizures or coma, leading to multiorgan dysfunction. Heat also exacerbates chronic conditions like heart failure, asthma and kidney disease. Beyond clinical presentations, community-level evidence shows heat causes sleep disturbance, irritability and significant reductions in productivity. Vulnerable groups include infants, older adults, pregnant women, individuals with chronic diseases and outdoor workers. Maternal and neonatal health is particularly at risk, with links to preterm birth, stillbirth and hypertensive disorders. Primary health care is central to addressing this threat through early recognition, prompt cooling, hydration, medication review and tailored counselling for low-resource settings and environments. A proactive integration of heat-health interventions into routine primary care is therefore critical to building climate-resilient health systems and safeguarding vulnerable populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e5"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149558/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of primary healthcare physicians' knowledge of diabetic kidney disease.","authors":"Wafaa Fadili","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5322","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5322","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Early identification of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a real means to prevent the progression of kidney disease. The involvement of primary practitioners in screening programmes is particularly needed as most patients with diabetes are managed in primary care.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study aims to assess primary practitioners' knowledge regarding screening, referral and management guidelines of patients with diabetes.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> Routine clinical setting in the region of Marrakesh.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> This was a cross-sectional study including primary practitioners in the region of Marrakesh between May and June 2024. A 16-item questionnaire was developed to evaluate their knowledge about screening, referral and management of DKD. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with knowledge levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Of the 295 general practitioners solicited for the study, 100 physicians agreed to participate, thus translating to a response rate of 33.9%. Most participants (61%) showed high levels of adherence to DKD guidelines, but they presented a substantial gap in knowledge regarding the optimum screening time of DKD in patients with type 1 diabetes, the ideal screening test for albuminuria, the recommended interval for the routine surveillance, the annual screening tests, the therapeutic target of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), the indications of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and the timing of referral to a nephrologist. Higher knowledge scores were observed among physicians who received training in diabetes management.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> This study showed varying degrees of knowledge across different aspects of DKD management in primary care. Therefore, renal health programmes should prioritise enhancing the involvement and the regular training of primary practitioners.Contribution: This study emphasises the need for ongoing DKD training among primary healthcare practitioners to enhance their knowledge and improve the early management of patients with DKD.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149646/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"App-based primary care in South Africa: A conceptual pathway from telemedicine service acceptance to patients' continuance intentions.","authors":"Grethe Van Tonder, Christian D Pentz, Ronel Du Preez","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5191","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> This study reports on the quantitative research phase of a mixed-methods study that investigated patients' acceptance of an application (app)-based telemedicine service for primary care aimed at South African public healthcare sector patients.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study aimed to investigate the relationships between telemedicine service acceptance and eight antecedents of such acceptance, as well as the relationships between telemedicine service acceptance, perceived value, patient participation, patient satisfaction with a telemedicine service, patient trust in telemedicine services and two dependent variables, namely both patients' continuance intentions towards a telemedicine service and towards a telemedicine service provider.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> The research was conducted in South Africa and focused on an app-based telemedicine service, Kena Health, a provider of app-based primary care at the time this research was conducted.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> Quantitative data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire through the Qualtrics data collection platform. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to conduct the statistical analysis of a sample (n = 505) of respondents.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Statistically significant effects on patients' telemedicine service acceptance were confirmed for perceived compatibility, innovativeness, privacy perception and care perception. All the hypothesised relationships between telemedicine service acceptance, perceived value, patient participation, patient satisfaction with a telemedicine service, trust in telemedicine services and patients' continuance intentions towards the service and the telemedicine service provider were statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> In South Africa, telemedicine services present a practical and scalable solution to more effectively address healthcare, particularly for underserved communities. This novel study offers much needed insights to improve healthcare delivery through digital innovation.Contribution: Two antecedents of telemedicine service acceptance that had not previously been considered in the technology acceptance theory, namely (positive) privacy perception and care perception, were confirmed. Insights are provided regarding the effect of patients' trust in telemedicine services on their continuance intentions towards the service and the service provider under investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149932/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Obstetricians' perceptions of midwife specialists' roles in South Africa.","authors":"Kagiso P Tukisi, Zelda Janse van Rensburg, Wanda Jacobs","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5276","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5276","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> The midwife specialists (MS) are trained midwifery professionals with advanced knowledge and skills to perform interventions to respond to complicated maternal and neonatal conditions. A midwife specialist is expected to function independently and interdependently with other healthcare professionals such as obstetricians and paediatricians. However, studies have shown that the circumstances within public hospitals could be more favourable to the midwife specialist's independent and autonomous practice.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study aims to explore and describe obstetricians' perceptions of midwife specialists' roles in public hospitals in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> The study was conducted in the selected public hospitals in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> Authors followed a qualitative, descriptive, explorative research design. Data collection took place between March 2022 and June 2022. Purposive sampling was utilised to sample nine obstetricians to participate in online individual semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's seven-step method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Three themes emerged. In theme 1, midwife specialists are skilled professionals practicing with limitations. In theme 2, there is an absence of the specific scope of practice (SOP) for midwife specialists'. In theme 3, they are defensive practitioners with over-reliance on physicians and clinical records.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> The SOP should be revised to grant midwife specialists full professional and legal authority to practice independently. Removing these limitations would enable them to collaborate effectively with physicians, ensuring safe and comprehensive maternal and neonatal care.Contribution: This study highlights the state of midwife specialists practice in the public hospitals of South Africa. Obstetricians elucidate various barriers to midwife specialists autonomous and collaborative midwifery care.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149853/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oral iron supplementation as a public health intervention in children aged 6 to 23 months for preventing iron deficiency and anaemia: Economic evaluation for the South African health system.","authors":"Pamela Vorster, Amanda S Brand, Celeste Naude, Funeka Bango, Gerald Manthalu, Dachi Arikpo, Tamara Kredo, Lungiswa Nkonki","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5083","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5083","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Anaemia prevalence among Southern African children aged 6-23 months was estimated at 65% in 2019. The World Health Organization recommends that children aged 6-23 months living in countries with an anaemia prevalence above 40% should receive preventive oral iron supplements.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This study aimed to conduct a context-specific economic evaluation of oral iron supplementation in children aged 6 months - 23 months for preventing iron deficiency and anaemia in South Africa (SA).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong> We undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), comparing preventive iron supplementation with no supplementation. Using a 1-year time horizon, we took a provider perspective and used circulating haemoglobin as the effectiveness outcome. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated as the cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) because of anaemia averted. A budget impact analysis (BIA) was carried out to estimate start-up and total annual costs of intervention implementation in SA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The ICER (cost per DALY averted) was R1077.00 ($58.40); below a conservative context-relevant threshold (R62 916.00 [$3410.00]) (2024). Budget impact analysis estimated total costs over 2 years (2024-2025), excluding start-up costs, of R16.94 ($0.92) per child aged 2 years in SA, based on the CEA dosing regimen. Intervention costs (including start-up costs) represent 0.007% of the total health budget (2024).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Preventive oral iron supplementation resulted in increased effectiveness for averting DALYs because of anaemia. Comparisons of the ICER with context-relevant thresholds suggested the intervention could be considered cost-effective in SA.Contribution: Our findings of potential cost-effectiveness and budget impact could be used to inform decision-making for primary healthcare resource allocation in SA's health system.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149916/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A setback for Sustainable Development Goal 3.1: Documenting the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic's impact on maternal mortality through a National Confidential Enquiry in South Africa.","authors":"Gomolemo Rakale, Sam T Ntuli, Tshepo Ramarumo, Solly M Seeletse","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5287","DOIUrl":"10.4102/phcfm.v18i1.5287","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Maternal mortality highlights health system effectiveness and social fairness. South Africa's Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (CEMD) monitors and improves maternal healthcare. While initial decreases in maternal mortality were positive, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing provincial inequalities jeopardise reaching the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> This analysis evaluated South Africa's maternal mortality reduction path by examining CEMD data trends, the pandemic's effect and provincial disparities to gauge progress towards its SDG commitments.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A longitudinal trend analysis was conducted using secondary data from CEMD reports (2017-2022). The analysis focused on national and provincial institutional Maternal Mortality Ratio (iMMR) trends. Comparative analysis quantified changes and identified patterns of disparity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Pre-pandemic improvement was abruptly reversed by a significant 42% surge in the national iMMR during the pandemic, underscoring the fragility of previous gains. Although a decrease was observed in 2022, the rate remained above the 2019 baseline, indicating an incomplete recovery. Furthermore, profound inter-provincial disparities were evident, with only two provinces sustaining a downward trend, the majority showing no clear improvement and three provinces consistently exhibiting exceptionally high and volatile iMMRs.</p><p><strong>Lessons learnt: </strong> South Africa is not yet on track to meet its SDG target for maternal mortality. The pandemic exposed and exacerbated systemic weaknesses, while deep-rooted provincial inequities persist. Achieving sustainable progress requires a dual strategy: building a more resilient health system capable of withstanding future shocks and implementing targeted, equity-focused interventions in underperforming regions to ensure that maternal healthcare is accessible and effective for all.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"e1-e5"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13149929/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}