Quality of oxytocin ampoules available in health care facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo: an exploratory study in five provinces.

Background: Oxytocin injection is the first line therapy for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal mortality. Currently access to high quality oxytocin in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is compromised by variable manufacturing quality and the requirement for cold chain supply and storage to prevent product deterioration. Previous studies of oxytocin ampoules sampled from Africa, the region with highest maternal mortality rates, indicate that over half do not contain the specified amount of oxytocin.

Learning lessons from a traditional midwifery workforce in western Kenya.

Objective: To learn lessons from a traditional midwifery workforce in Western Kenya.

Design: With the assistance of an interpreter, qualitative data was collected during in-depth individual and group interviews with traditional midwives. English components of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data thematically analysed.

The experience of being a traditional midwife: living and working in relationship with women.

Introduction: The purpose of this project was to learn from traditional midwives about their experience of practicing in an area of rural Kenya.

Methods: This qualitative, service-based research project used a simple exploratory and descriptive design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and fieldwork notes taken during and immediately after the interviews with 84 traditional midwives.