Somalilandsun: Severe obstetric morbidity and mortality remaina serious challenge in developing countries such as Somaliland.
Despite the wide implementation of comprehensive emergency obstetric care in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Somaliland, the reduction of severe maternal morbidity and mortality has been slow.
Notes researchers of a study on An Explorative Study with Focus on Cesarean Deliveries in Somaliland which jointly funded by the medical and health faculties of university of Hargeisa, Dalarna University and Uppsala university whose aim was to explore the experiences of health care providers (HCP) in regard to provision emergency obstetric care in referral hospital and maternal and child health care centres in Somaliland.
Results: Collectivistic decision making through family ties was identified by HCPs to act as a barrier to provision of life saving obstetric interventions. This tradition of decision making at a group level rather than at the individual level was perceived as time-consuming and delayed HCPs from obtaining informed consent to provide lifesaving obstetric care. Low socioeconomic status, poor knowledge about maternal healthcare among users affected care seeking among women. Suboptimal care affecting provision of emergency obstetric care at the hospital was reported to be due to miscommunication, inadequate interprofessional collaboration and lack of infrastructure.
Conclusion: HCPs experiences provided vital insights into the care provided to women with severe obstetric complications in Somaliland. To ensure smooth and timely decision-making processes, the antenatal period can be used to prepare families for potential obstetric emergencies and to obtain signed consents. Key Words: Maternal, Somaliland, Healthcare providers, Family ties, Emergency obstetric care, Cesarean section
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