Policy strategies to improve maternal health services delivery and outcomes in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pregnancy and childbirth present major health risks for Nigerian women. Key maternal mortality measures indicate that the risks are high. Despite improvement efforts, the country has made insufficient progress in reaching the United Nations' millennium development goal of decreasing maternal mortality by 75% by 2015. The author in this qualitative descriptive study explores the perspectives of experienced nurse leaders on policy strategies to improve maternal health in Nigeria. In this study, the author suggests that removal of financial barriers to access and utilization of health services, spousal and family inclusiveness in plan of care, and health systems-related physical and human infrastructural improvements constitute critical policy approaches.