Paper short abstract:

This paper presents findings from a comparative policy analysis done in 4 SSA countries to develop a programme theory for designing and implementing context specific interventions targeted at improving postpartum care, for the Missed Opportunities in Maternal and Infant care (MOMI) project.

Paper long abstract:

Introduction: Reducing postpartum (PP) maternal and infant mortality has been recognised internationally and in different national health policies as a priority. However, the translation of these policies into sustainable health programmes has been slow. In many countries in SSA, provision of PPC remains poor, with high maternal morbidity rates reported in the PP period. The Missed Opportunities in Maternal and Infant health (MOMI) project is a FP7 EU funded project focused on improving PPC for mothers and infants in four SSA countries in the year after childbirth.

Methods: A comparative policy analysis was done at the four MOMI study counties prior to the interventions design. The objective of this analysis was to understand and compare the place of PPC within the national epidemiological, and political contexts of the countries, and the gaps between the findings and international policies on maternal and child health.

Findings: Maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) were recognised as key priority areas in the national health plans of all the four SSA countries. However, PPC was not prioritised in these health policies or within the MNCH programmes. Where policy guidelines did exist, they were not translated into effective interventions.

Conclusion: Provision of PPC in many SSA countries is poor, despite the existence of national guidelines on MNCH, elucidating the fact that international/national guidelines & health policies do not always translate into well implemented, sustainable health programmes. There is a need for more research, to understand factors that influence translation of health policies into effective interventions.