Towards millennium development goal five in Ghana: An analysis of the current situation in the availability, utilization and quality of obstetric care

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT COPELAND, 111, ESKER B.S. FISK UNIVERSITY, 1999 M.P.H. MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, 2007 TOWARDS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL FIVE IN GHANA: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT SITUATION IN THE AVAILABILITY, UTILIZATION AND OUALITY OF OBSTETRIC CARE Advisor: Professor Art Hansen Thesis dated December 2007 This study uses Millennium Development Goal Indicator 17 along with a set of country-level maternal health process indicators to assess Ghana's current situation in the availability, utilization, and quality of care for women with obstetric complications. This study draws on primary quantitative data, collected through document review to calculate seven key maternal health process indicators. The researcher found that the country meets the acceptable levels for four of the country-level indicators, but falls short on the other three. The conclusion drawn from these findings indicate that Ghana is currently implementing sound evidence based strategies in its efforts to reduce maternal mortality. This study reveals that low utilization of critical services by women with obstetric complications remains a problem in Ghana. The indicators show that availability of EOC services and quality of care for these women are at or above international standards. TOWARDS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL FIVE IN GHANA: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT SITUATION IN THE AVAILABILITY, UTILIZATION AND QUALITY OF OBSTETRIC CARE A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS