The Contribution of East African Universities’ towards the Attainment of Millennium Development Goal -5 (Maternal Health) Association of African Universities (AAU) MOBILISING REGIONAL CAPACITY INITIATIVE(MRCI) Presenter :Faith Muyonga Kyambogo University

Objectives Objective 1: Assess the current contribution (including training/curricula and research activities) in the field of maternal health

Objective 2: Identify the gaps, hindrances and opportunities for the universities to contribute and promote MDG-5 (maternal health).

Objectives Objective 3: Provide recommendations for strengthening the development of policy frameworks among East African Universities and key stakeholders on maternal health.

Methodology The cross sectional descriptive survey adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches The study was carried out in accredited public and private Universities in East Africa (Kenya and Uganda)

Methodology Cont… The contribution of universities was measured by their role in the following: – Training – Research, and – Community outreach

Methodology cont… Uganda; a total of 24 (18 private and 6 public). Kenya; Total of 25(18 private and 7 government) Randomly selected 1920 university students and 197 Heads of Department.

Findings Training : Lecturers’ Comments There is no specific focus on maternal health while training specially for non medical courses. Reasons: not able to identify relationship between maternal health and the course they teach, lack of trained human resource etc Quote “The department has nothing specific to help students improve maternal health, the only time we mention something general about maternal health is when we cover population dynamics even then it is general like making mention of the need for family planning to control a big a population.” HOD

Findings Quote “University staff have the capacity and willingness, as long as maternal health is publicized to be a non-medical issue “. HOD

Knowledge of MDGS 77.3% of students aware of MDGs (n = 1920) 44.1% of students aware of MDGs were able to mention right number % of students aware of MDGs were able to mention correct deadline for their achievement. 23.4% of students aware of MDGs including the correct number and deadline for their achievement. 4.8% of students said universities have responsibility for fulfilling MDGs. Only 4% of lecturers said universities have responsibility for fulfilling MDGs (n=197) Female and older students seem more knowledgeable (p< 0.05)

Findings Cont… Student’s knowledge of maternal health – 45.7% of students aware of MDG directly addressing maternal health issues (MDG-5) – 45.2% of students reported having aspects related to MDG-5 in their courses – 44% of students confirmed that their course had prepared them in handling maternal health aspects – More of these were females, from medical type of departments or from Kenya (p<0.05). – Students mentioned they had not acquired adequate skills in antenatal care, maternal morbidity and nutrition. – Maternal health aspect students most equipped with - Family planning. – The main sources of health knowledge for students is the media i.e. Radio/TV and Newspapers. – The contribution of the universities towards student’s knowledge of maternal health is modest (2.8)

Findings cont… Research and Dissemination Dissemination – 50% of students reported attending any seminars organized by their respective units or universities – 24.4% of students reported attending any seminars organized by their units addressing MDG aspects – 18% of students reported attending any seminars organized by their units addressing Maternal Health aspects Research: – Low international publication (23% in Uganda and 72% in Kenya) – Limited in private institutions (had less publication than public institutions)

Findings Cont… – There is limited staff involvement in research. – The major causes mentioned were lack of funds, time and conceptualization of research in line with maternal health. – Others did not have any focus on any form of research. – Some departments had no research focus and for some there was no motivation to undertake research. (No monetary benefit) – Research among students reported among nutrition and social science who undertake research on maternal health. – Limited publishing and research on maternal health especially in Uganda

Findings Cont… Social networks and/or collaborations – 38% of department representatives reported having any collaborative programs with an external civil society or NGO – 17.8% of department representatives who confirmed having collaborations involving maternal health issues

Findings Community Outreach 29.9% of department representatives affirmed to carrying out community work related to maternal health issues. Community outreach is largely undertaken by departments in which community outreach component is embedded in the curriculum. Although community outreach is low, maternal health is represented in what is being done. Quote “The department by design does a lot of community outreaches,60% of the student’s time is supposed to be spent in the field at sites supervised by the district health office……..) HOD

Summary of Findings Generally the contribution of institutions towards students knowledge of maternal health is modest (2.8 average). Maternal health issues remain a focus of medical type of departments. There is limited research conducted on maternal health. There is limited community outreach except for programs where community outreach is a key component of the training.