Sustainability of Maternal Healthcare Services Delivery in a Conflict Stricken Environment: A Case Study of Yei Town, South Sudan
Abstract
During war and in the post-conflict period, maternal mortality rate tends to remain high because of damaged clinical facilities and lack of health workers in armed conflict-stricken environments. This research offered a commentary and opportunity to understand the sustainability mechanisms used in delivery of maternal healthcare services in a conflict-stricken environment, specifically, South Sudan. The study adopted a descriptive research design and targeted community health workers and Yei community leaders, totaling to 80, who witnessed vicious cycles of conflicts for three decades in Yei. A mixed methodology was adopted where both quantitative and qualitative data was collected through questionnaires and focus group discussion. The data was analyzed through thematic, descriptive and inferential statistics. The study results indicated that none of the mechanisms deployed had a significant impact on sustainability of maternal healthcare in Yei Municipality (χ2= 0.636, P = 0.585). In regard to the state of healthcare facilities, it was ascertained that the current number of staff (χ2= 12.109, P = 0.003), ambulances (χ2= 16.577, P = 0.000) and supply of electricity (χ2= 15.609, P = 0.001) had a significant relationship with the sustainability of maternal healthcare (Accessible, adaptable and Affordable). The study further established that community-based organizations (χ2= 9.553, P = 0.04), health workforce (χ2= 13.918, P = 0.001) and civil organizations (χ2= 12.109, P = 0.003) have a significant relationship with sustainability of maternal healthcare services delivery in Yei Municipality. The study recommended a need for investment in development of effective mechanisms to have a sustainable maternal healthcare. There is a need to improve the poor state of healthcare facilities in order to lead to sustainable maternal healthcare in Yei Municipality. The study recommended the local administration of Yei town, together with the federal and state government to come up with programmes as well as invest towards improvement of the security in the town in order to make it easy for the women to access maternal healthcare.
Keywords: Sustainability of Maternal Healthcare, Conflict-Stricken area, South Sudan
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