CCIH 2012 Capitol Hill Briefing on FBOs in Global Health, June 11, 2012, Joy Mukaire on Maternal Health

Maternal and Child Health in South Sudan Joy P. Mukaire Executive DirectorChristian Health Association of Sudan (CHAS) Capitol Hill Briefing June 2012

Christian Health Association of Sudan – Vision“All CHAS member organizations visibly and effectively participating in health service delivery and contributing to the attainment of health outcomes for South Sudan”

CHAS Membership CHAS has 73 members drawn from:  Episcopal Church of Sudan  Catholic Church  African Inland Church  Presbyterian Church  Pentecostal churches  Sudan Presbyterian evangelical Church  Muslim faith groups for HIV/AIDS related work  PLHIV Network

The Situation South Sudan has the highest maternal mortality ratio in the world (2,054/100,000) South Sudan HHS 2010 estimated that only 46.7% of pregnant women attended one ANC visit Only 14.7% of deliveries are attended by trained health professionals. Institutional deliveries accounted for just 12.3% of births Contraceptive prevalence rate is 4.7%. Total fertility rate is 6.7 Individual’s life expectancy is 42

The Situation Common for child marriages as early as 13 or 14 years for girls. Parents marry off girls for a bride price. Early sexual engagement and pregnancy in young single girls result into pregnancies with complications at delivery, leading to high maternal mortality rates during pregnancy and delivery. High school dropout at puberty: Girls kept out of school when they start their menses - considered a sign of maturity or readiness for marriage. Leading to a high illiteracy rate (88% among women and 63% among men).

CHAS Maternal & Chid Health Priorities Work with Traditional Health Care Support Systems:  Household Level  Religious Leaders  Cultural Leaders  Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) They are highly trusted and respected by communities, and could effectively promote healthy decisions at the household levels.

Working with Influentials at the Household Level• Husbands & In-Laws: A woman’s pregnancy is everyone’s business• Community education through a outreach workers

Working with Cultural & Religious Leaders Work with cultural & religious leaders to advocate for changes in practices in the perception about women and child bearing – to trust the health system  For example, tribal practices – spear masters and labor vs. taking a woman to a hospital Target: Cultural & Religious Women Leaders through Ministry of Gender  Community Leader Workshops

Results Conducted leadership and management training for religious leaders from 13 institutions Supported 2 large scale advocacy events focusing on the issue of “empowering women and girls to reduce maternal mortality” ANC attendance at 6 FBO facilities in Western Equatoria and Lakes State has increased Records of eligible households, numbers served now exist at community and facility level is happening

Training Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) TBAs serve 88% of deliveries Goal: Train TBAs to bring women to health care facilities for: family planning, immunizations, delivering babies, PMTCT, etc. Helps support the TBA in building skills and reaching women for ALL services Trained and supported 78 community outreach workers Trained 64 TBAs: 2 trainings so far

Shukran

CCIH 2012 Capitol Hill Briefing on FBOs in Global Health, June 11, 2012, Joy Mukaire on Maternal Health

by Christian Connections for International Health on Aug 27, 2012

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