Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35007185›Full record

ArticleGlobal health action2022

Implementation of a three-pillar training intervention to improve maternal and neonatal healthcare in the Democratic Republic Of Congo: a process evaluation study in an urban health zone.

Marie Berg, Sylvie Nabintu Mwambali, Malin Bogren

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Global health action, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
4.2field-weighted citation impact, top 7% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 11 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Promoting respectful maternity care with the WHO labor care guide and the checklist mnemonic "COPE": A quality improvement project.International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Marie BergInstitute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0001-8358-6075
Sylvie Nabintu MwambaliDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Community Health, Evangelical University of Africa, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Malin BogrenInstitute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0003-2432-8097
Université Evangélique en Afrique · CDUniversity of Gothenburg · SE

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNumerous quality-improvement projects including healthcare professional training are conducted globally every year, but there is a gap between the knowledge obtained in the training and its implementation in practice and policy. A quality-improvement programme was conducted in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.

objectiveThis study explores the implementation process, mechanisms of impact, and outcomes of a training intervention addressing labour and birth management and involving healthcare providers in an urban health zone in eastern part of DRC.

methodsIn 2019, master trainers were educated and in turn trained facilitators from seven participating healthcare facilities, which received the necessary equipment. Data comprised statistics on maternal and neonatal birth outcomes for the years before and after the training intervention, and focus group discussions (n = 18); and interviews (n = 2) with healthcare professionals, at the end of (n = 52) and after the training intervention (n = 59), respectively. The analysis was guided by a process evaluation framework, using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

resultsThe three-pillar training intervention using a low-dose, high-frequency approach was successfully implemented in terms of fidelity, dose, adaptation, and reach. Several improved care routines were established, including improved planning, teamwork, and self-reflection skills, as well as improved awareness of the influence of the care environment, of having a respectful encounter, and of allowing a companion to be present with the birthing woman. The proportions of emergency caesareans decreased and of vaginal births increased without an increase in maternal and neonatal complications.

conclusionThe findings of this study are encouraging and provide learnings for other healthcare facilities in DRC as well as other low-income countries. When designing similar training interventions, it is crucial to consider contextual factors such as incentives and to measure more salutogenic outcomes.

Indexed as

Health FacilitiesUrban HealthDelivery of Health CareDemocratic Republic of the CongoFemaleHumansInfant, NewbornParturitionPregnancyDemocratic Republic of CongoHealthcare providersimplementation researchlow-income countriesmaternal and newborn health

Identifiers

PMID35007185
PMCPMC8751495
OpenAlexW4206076443

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.