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

  • ADELAIDA DAGANO GAYTOS ROSALDO UP MANILA SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
  • Charlie Cotoner Falguera University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences
  • Ira Dotollo Aboy University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences
  • Daisybel Alicay Calgo
  • Gina Lou Guias Obani
  • Ellen Aberte Vega

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

 

Author Biographies

Charlie Cotoner Falguera, University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences

Registered Nurse-Midwife; Master of Arts in Nursing; Chairperson, Department of Midwifery

Ira Dotollo Aboy, University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences

Registered Nurse-Midwife

Daisybel Alicay Calgo

Registered Nurse-Midwife

Gina Lou Guias Obani

Registerd Nurse and Midwife

Ellen Aberte Vega

Registered nurse and midwife

Published
2020-09-01
How to Cite
GAYTOS ROSALDO, A., Falguera, C., Aboy, I., Calgo, D., Obani, G. L., & Vega, E. (2020). 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. International Journal of Health Systems and Implementation Research, 4(2), 34-47. Retrieved from https://ijhsir.ahsas-pgichd.org/index.php/ijhsir/article/view/83