Mid-Term Assessment of Maternal Care Assistance Program Implementation in Leyte Province, 2014-2017, in Terms of Facility-Based Delivery, Maternal Mortality Ratio, and Infant Mortality Rate

Mid-Term Assessment of Maternal Care Assistance Program

Abstract

Background: High maternal and child mortality rates continue to affect many nations around the world. This includes the Philippines, where these deaths are exacerbated by a low rate of facility-based deliveries. Hence, a financial incentive scheme (the Maternal Care Assistance Program) has been implemented to address the issues.

Objectives: This study examined the status of the Maternal Care Assistance Program (MCAP), maternal and child health over a four-year period, and the relationship between them.

Methodology: A cross-sectional design was employed, using secondary data from records in the Rural Health Units (RHUs) of 37 municipalities of the Leyte province in the Philippines. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman rank correlation were used to test hypotheses.

Findings: We found a pattern of decrease in the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). Facility-based deliveries (FBDs) increased significantly over the four-year period. However, the results failed to meet the national target. Cash incentives given to health worker volunteers showed a significant indirect relationship with MMR and IMR.

Conclusion: We found positive improvement in the rate of facility-based deliveries. Moreover, our findings showed reduced maternal and infant deaths over the four-year period, during use of the financial assistance scheme. The financial assistance scheme partly influenced the reduction of MMR and IMR.

Recommendations: To sustain the gains made and further improve maternal and child health, it is essential to increase maternal health services coverage. Likewise, improving the financial assistance scheme is essential to better achieving its objectives. Accordingly, policymakers and government may need to modify existing laws and budgetary requirements in order for the program to maintain its momentum and continue to improve.

Keywords: Maternal Care Assistance Program, Facility-Based Delivery, Maternal Mortality Ratio, Infant Mortality Rate