Advocacy for free maternal and child health care in Nigeria—Results and outcomes

Abstract The study was designed to determine the outcome of an advocacy program aimed at implementing a policy of free maternal and child health (MCH) services in Nigeria. The team conducted a situational analysis on costing of MCH services, and used the results to conduct public health education an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health policy (Amsterdam) 2011-02, Vol.99 (2), p.131-138
Main Authors: Okonofua, Friday, Lambo, Eyitayo, Okeibunor, John, Agholor, Kingsley
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to health care
Advocacy
Child
Child health
Child Health Services - economics
Child Welfare
Child, Preschool
Children
Evidence
Female
Free maternal and child health
Health administration
Health care
Health education
Health Policy
Health services
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Infant
Infant Mortality
Infant, Newborn
Internal Medicine
Maternal and infant welfare
Maternal Health Services - economics
Maternal Mortality
Maternal mortality Under-five mortality Free maternal and child health Nigeria
Maternal Welfare
Mortality
Mothers
Nigeria
Nigeria - epidemiology
Patient Advocacy
Policy making
Public health
Public health education
Surveys and Questionnaires
Under-five mortality
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Summary:Abstract The study was designed to determine the outcome of an advocacy program aimed at implementing a policy of free maternal and child health (MCH) services in Nigeria. The team conducted a situational analysis on costing of MCH services, and used the results to conduct public health education and advocacy. Advocacy consisted of public presentation on MCH to high-level policymakers, dissemination of situational analysis report, and media publicity. The implementation of free MCH services at national and sub-national levels was assessed 3 years after. The results showed that the number of States offering comprehensive free MCH services increased from four to nine; the States offering partially free MCH services increased from 11 to 14 (8.1% increase); while those not offering any form of free treatment decreased from 22 to 14 (21.7% decrease). We conclude that advocacy and public health education is effective in increasing the commitment of policymakers to provide resources for implementing evidence-based maternal and child health services in Nigeria.
ISSN:0168-8510
1872-6054
DOI:10.1016/j.healthpol.2010.07.013