Overcoming socio-cultural and decision-making barriers to family planning and maternal health services in rural areas of Myanmar
- Country
- Myanmar
- Project Strengths
- Community operated voucher mechanism, Maternal and Child Health Promoters (MCHP), development and usage of media tools to overcome socio-cultural barriers
- Project Name
- Overcoming socio-cultural and decision-making barriers to family planning and maternal health services in rural areas of Myanmar
- Implementing Partners
- MRH Section, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health and Sports, DMR, Ayeyarwady Regional Health Office, Einme and Wakema Tonwsihps
- Supporting Agencies
- MSD for Mothers, Global Giving program
- Project Period
- 2019 – 2023
Description of SRHR Needs
Although Myanmar has made steady progress towards reducing maternal mortality as a country, there remains a wide gap between urban and rural settings, with the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) being average of 192.5 in urban areas compared to 309.7 in rural areas.*1 The Thematic Report on Maternal Mortality which analyzed the 2014 Census suggests that high level of maternal mortality can be associated with high fertility levels with short birth intervals. Both this report and the Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16*2 show that women who have no or limited formal education and those living in under-developed and poor communities have lower contraceptive usage rate and higher probability of facing maternal deaths. Abortion complications also contribute to 12% of all maternal deaths.*3 Moreover, a cross analysis between the availability of health services*4 to the occurrence of maternal deaths showed no relation, and neither did the availability of motorized transportation, suggesting that availability alone is not the issue. Although the need for more in-depth study is sited, the reports suggest that socio-cultural factors, understanding and detecting of high-risk pregnancies, decision making in accessing health services, in addition to other physical factors such as communication and economic status have a significant impact on maternal health and maternal mortality. Outreach and support is especially needed for women living in poor communities with limited education and communication means.
*1 Thematic Report on Maternal Mortality: 2014 Census Report, Department of Population, Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population with technical assistance from UNFPA, September 2016*2 Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey 2015-2016*3 Maternal Death Review in Myanmar, Maternal and Reproductive Division, Department of Health, MOHS, 2013*4 Availability of health services in terms of number of midwives, nurses and hospital beds
JOICFP’s Intervention
- Project purpose
- To increase access and uptake of quality family planning and maternal health services, by enabling women to overcome socio-cultural and decision-making barriers in the project areas of Myanmar
- Target Area and Population
- Ayeyarwady Region / Wakema Township and Einme Township, target populations: approximately 500,000
- Uniqueness in the Approach
-
- Installing and managing sustainable community operated maternal voucher mechanism to overcome financial barriers
- Development and utilization of communication tools to overcome socio-cultural barriers
- Almost 3700 women in the rural community were recruited and trained as maternal and child health promoters (MCHPs) to bridge the pregnant and neonate women and basic RH services
- Activities
-
- In-depth study on barriers to family planning & maternal health
- Recruitment and training of Maternal and Child Health Promoters (MCHPs)
- Midwife training
- Health education and communication materials development
- Health communication activities by MCHPs and BHS
- Development and operationalization of the community-operated voucher system
- M&E
Project Outcomes
- Increased number of women and men who receive family planning and counselling service, including new and continued users in the project area
- Increased number of women who receive prenatal care at least 4 times or more at proper timings, including a check-up during the latter pregnancy period for risk detection
- Increased number of deliveries attended by skilled health personnel
- Increased number of women who deliver at health facilities
- Increased number of women who receive postpartum care within 2 days after delivery
Additional Information: Attachments, Links, etc.
Projects
Overcoming socio-cultural and decision-making barriers to family planning and maternal health services in rural areas of Myanmar
Project for Improving Reproductive Health at Primary and Community Level
Program for Improving Female Personal Hygiene through School Health Education among Young Girls (Phase II)
Feasibility Study on Improvement of Maternal Health in Rural Areas in Central Myanmar by Using the Remote Medical Care System “XMIX”.
