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Maternal healthcare needs assessment survey at Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan
Author(s) -
Khorrami Homa,
Karzai Fatima,
Macri Charles J.,
Amir Azizullah,
Laube Douglas
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2007.11.022
Subject(s) - medicine , health care , family medicine , intervention (counseling) , medical emergency , nursing , economics , economic growth
Objective Since the Department of Health and Human Services chose Rabia Balkhi Hospital (RBH) in Kabul, Afghanistan, as a site for intervention in 2002, the status of women's health there has been of interest. This study created a tool to assess accessibility and quality of care of women admitted from May to July, 2005. Methods A 39‐item questionnaire was created in English and translated into Dari. Hospital staff administered the survey to 292 women admitted to RBH for obstetric and gynecological complaints. Results Approximately 40% of the women traveled between 1 and 5 hours to reach RBH. Only 54% (158/292) of women reported having their blood pressure monitored during their pregnancy. About one‐third of women reported that they had never received an immunization. Conclusions This survey tool ascertained that women who received care at RBH traveled great lengths to reach the facility. Preventative measures such as blood pressure checks and immunizations are areas that need improvement.