BRAC and the Ministry of Health run community dialogue, health camps, door to door health services to access expectant mothers and challenge the stigma stopping…
Uganda, August 22, 2022: Ketty Jolly, 21, sits on her verandah on a sunny Friday afternoon. Her baby laughs in her arms and tries to wiggle out of the secure warm blanket when she animates her facial expressions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the public movement was restricted and it kept expecting mothers like Ketty from receiving treatment because she was already pregnant during that period.
According to a report published by World Health Organization (WHO), expectant mothers living in rural communities experience higher rates of life-threatening complications during or after children because of poor access to maternal services and information compared to urban residents.
Young adolescents face a higher risk of complications and death as a result of pregnancy complications.
For Ketty, it was her first pregnancy at the age of 21 and she was distraught.
“I was afraid to go to any health centre for antenatal services because the facility was far and I did not have the means to cater for the transport and I was also anxious about what people would say about me since I am young,’’ Kelly said.
Her family, not financially well off, compelled her to move in with her spouse to support the baby. In these tenuous circumstances, she fell into a depression and she almost lost her unborn baby.
“It was a dark time in my life. I felt abandoned and judged. I hardly ate. Only a meal in 2 days. I had no support and found it difficult to take care of myself, my baby, and be a partner to my boyfriend,” Kelly expressed.
Bodily pains began radiating throughout her body as early as First Trimester but it didn’t stop there either, the same agony was again her fate in Trimester two.
It was a dull Wednesday when Kelly was woken up from a nap by repeated knocks on her door. Upon opening her door, she was greeted by a yellow-dressed Community Health Promoter selling products for expectant mothers and flyers about maternal health care and psychosocial support.
J-PAL Africa Research defines Community Health Promoters’ work as providing home visits, health education, basic medical advice and treatment, and referrals to nearby clinics for more serious diagnoses. They make a modest income by selling health-related products.
The brightly-dressed, Community Health Promoter, Flavia Alelo has been conducting home visits for close to 5 years in Lira District, Otuke and Alebtong Districts together with her team respectively though positive results were obtained during the onset of Covid lockdown.
“We are able to reach and refer expectant mothers who live in areas that are far from health facilities or talk to those who have experienced stigma about their condition to health centres that will give them the right care and treatment,’’ Flavia said.
BRAC and the Ministry of Health run community dialogue, health camps, door to door health services to access expectant mothers and challenge the stigma stopping expectant teenage mothers from accessing care.
On a health weekly visit in Atangwata Parish area, Ketty’s name was on the visitation list and Flavia upon seeing Ketty’s condition knew she required immediate psychosocial intervention and emergency antenatal care.
“Her condition was dire and she was a bit resistant to get treatment but I assured her I’ll be with her throughout the journey and trust blossomed,” added Flavia.
Ketty was relieved by the Community Health Promoter’s support, the fear and stigma gradually started leaving her mind, and she eventually developed trust and confided in Flavia. She opened up about her challenges and after a little convincing, was rushed to Atangwata Health Center III where she continued to receive care and treatment until she gave birth.
“I learnt to love my child. I love myself and my family without a second thought of fear and stigma that was enclosed all over me at first,” Ketty exclaimed
Situations like these are far too common which is why innovation mechanisms have been derived to provide better support to expectant mothers in rural communities.
BRAC Health Program developed a mobile medic app that tracks expectant mothers from day one until the delivery date.
This is done to ensure they are in good health to carry the baby to full term and we also provide services like family planning, malaria and HIV test, counselling services when necessary,” aaid Mutumba Aziz, the Project Officer for BRAC Health Program
“When we go to a home, we ensure they have trust in us and are very free to the extent that Community health promoters even enter their houses to ensure they are sleeping under treated mosquito nets and sanitation around the home is maintained,” said Mutumba.
Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. WHO reports the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality include haemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labour.
But recent community interventions in collaboration with programs run by INGOs are ensuring mothers in the community have a smooth delivery.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Christine Awor and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
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