The SMNA which consisted of 2 phases was conducted between March 2007 and June 2008.
In phase 1 a questionnaire was administered to policy makers who are directly or indirectly involved in Safe Motherhood activities, namely to policy makers of all hospitals, directorate RGD and MZ, departments of: general practitioners, obstetricians, pediatricians, gynecologists, anesthesiologists, privately employed gynecologist and obstetricians, president Stibosu, occupational health services, head and coordinator of midwifery training, some MOH staff, NAP, dermatologist service Dermatology, Psychiatric Center Suriname and a hospital pharmacist (AZP).
Phase 2 started with the implementation of a pilot in 1 hospital, 1 RGD outpatient clinic and 1 post of the MZ. The questionnaires used were adapted following the pilot. For the implementation of phase 2, a selection of institutions was made taking into account available budget, time, manpower, district and population representation. This was carried out in 4 hospitals, 15 RGD outpatient clinics and 3 MZ posts through questionnaires on management at the institutional and district level, file review of prenatal charts, natal files, files with complication: fluxus, (pre-)eclampsia and non-progressive parturition and interviews with obstetric care providers (midwives, general practitioners, GZAs and TBAs) and clients at the pre- and post-natal outpatient clinic.
In the hospitals, detailed lists were also taken regarding inventory, materials, medications in the delivery rooms, operating rooms, maternity/gyn/pregnancy wards and also extramural at the blood bank.
The purpose of the SMNA is to provide managers, policy officers and other interested parties at the national and district levels with:
Description of availability, utilization and quality of prenatal, natal and postnatal care provided to mothers and newborns at all levels within the health care system;
Identify deficiencies in this care based on the services described in the Mother-Baby-Package.
