The role of the health system on women's utilization of maternal health services in Sudan

Ibrahim Ghada, City University London

Maternal mortality and morbidity still pose a significant challenge where no significant improvements in maternal health has been achieved in Sudan. The purpose of this paper is to identify the social, cultural, and services barriers to the use of maternal health services in Sudan during maternity period in Sudan and to study the different ways in which health system elements can shape maternal health and the pattern of utilization of maternal health services. Both quantitative data (Sudan Household Health Survey2010, Situation Analysis of reproductive health services in 2008) and qualitative data (Maternal Health System Study 2012). A qualitative survey has been conducted with village midwifes, decision makers, stakeholders, and health providers, women. Findings indicate that there are chronic problems in the Sudanese health system that widely affected the services provision and quality. Some policy implications and suggested solution to improving the maternal health system under limited resources are discussed.