Maternal Health Improvement Project Through Facilitating Community Health Workers in Kishapu, Tanzania

The Kishapu Maternal Health Project a district wide initiative (126 villages in 25 wards) with the overall goal to decrease the Maternal Mortality Ratio. Activities involve renovation of dispensaries, provision of electricity, water facilities, medical equipment, training health personnel in Basic Emergency Obstetric Neonatal Care, training of Community Health Workers and community mobilization.

The Photovoice study shown here was designed to increase awareness of maternal health through discussions of questions such as, ‘If you are a pregnant what makes you “unhealthy” in your community?’ and ‘What makes you hard to go to health facility?’ Since 2015, 33 villages and around 200 people have participated. The aim is then to create a social action plan and make changes at the individual, community and institutional level.

Superstition and customs related to maternal health which are socially prevalent acted as obstructive factors for women visiting health facilities even though pregnant women showed a willingness to access these services.  Photovoice was used to facilitate dialogue regarding these obstacles, enabling community members to reflect on their lived experience and indicating alternative future choices.