Community-led planning to improve maternal and newborn health in Tenkodogo district, Burkina FasoPerkins, Janet a, Capello Ceciliaa, Sankara, Tougma Ténéa, Portela, Annieb and Santarelli, Carloa

a Enfants du Monde; b World Health Organization, Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent health

Intervention site: Tenkodogo districtPopulation: 189 778Background:Burkina Faso:-Maternal mortality ratio: 560/100 000 (WHO 2008)-Newborn Mortality Rate: 38/1 000 (UNICEF 2010)Intervention Area (Annuaire Statistique 2009):-65.3% births with a skilled birth attendant-20.9% antenatal care coverage (4 visits)Partners: Burkina Faso Ministry of Health,Enfants du Monde, UNFPAYear of intervention: 2008

Conclusion: By giving precedence to underrepresented voices, the participatory community assessment identified priority concerns related to maternal and newborn health and barriers to healthcare access that were not revealed through situation analyses using extant data. Moreover, their ideas and solutions are integrated with those of local decision makers and health providers, further increasing their voice and the potential for programme success.

Organization of participatory community assessment

Results of the participatory community assessment

Background: Burkina Faso Ministry of Health, supported by Enfants du Monde and UNFPA, is currently implementing a nationwide programme based on the WHO framework for working with Individuals, Families and Communities (IFC) to improve maternal and newborn health. Fundamental to this framework is community participation throughout all programme phases, starting with planning. The rationale guiding planning is that consulting community members is essential to identify priority needs and potential solutions as well as to empower the community. Based on this principle, a participatory community assessment was conducted in Tenkodogo district.

Methods: Thirty-five representatives from the Ministries of Health, Education and Social Affaires were selected and trained by Enfants du Monde to conduct the participatory community assessment. The assessment consisted of five 2-day round table discussions and an institutional forum. Each round table discussion was composed of 30 participants (for a total of 150 participants) falling into the following categories:

pregnant women/women with children under the age of onehusbands of pregnant women/women with children under the age of oneinfluential family members of women during pregnancy (mothers, mothers-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law)community leaders health care providers.

Participants discussed the health of pregnant women, mothers and newborns in the community and identified key factors preventing them from making healthy choices during pregnancy and receiving the care they need. Participants then explored existing community resources and possible solutions to resolving identified problems. Following the round table discussions, an institutional forum conducted over two days was held during which participants examined the results of each round table discussion, prioritised maternal and newborn health needs and developed solutions to respond to the needs.

Tenkodogo district, Centre-Est Region