Operations Research on Increasing Use of Antenatal Corticosteroids (ACS) in Uganda

Overview and Objectives

Conducted operations research in five high-volume Ugandan hospitals/ maternities to identify the baseline use, and best methods to increase evidence-based use of antenatal corticosteroids to improve outcomes for premature newborns in Uganda. According to the World Health Organization, the administration of certain corticosteroids to women at risk of preterm birth causes a considerable reduction in the risks of complications of prematurity such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage and perinatal death.

Achievements

• Assessed adherence to ACS best practices
• Developed a driver diagram that identifies key ACS drivers and prioritizes promising interventions to improve ACS use
• Supported front-line provider/manager teams to test promising intervention approaches to increase use of ACS
• Defined three to five ACS quality indicators and adapt medical records to monitor them
• Synthesized lessons learned to inform future policy, implementation and monitoring strategies in support of expanding use of ACS in premature labor and other premature risk factors in Uganda