Maternal and Newborn Mortality: Community Opinions on Why Pregnant Women and Newborns Are Dying In Natikiri, Mozambique.

Abstract

Background and objective: maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Mozambique are high, due to insufficient numbers of qualified health workers, lack of equipment and materials, referral system deficiency, difficulties to access health services and gender issues. This study assesses the barriers to health care access, regular attendance at ante natal consultations, institutional delivery and postnatal and neonatal follow-up.  This is part of the baseline study for an implementation research project to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Natikiri, Nampula, Mozambique.