Authors : Keegan Shamisale; Kasonde Bowa; David Mulenga; Christine Kabula

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/57r99eme

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/58vx8edm

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb800

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Introduction: Most maternal deaths in Zambia occur during postpartum period, however the burden is disproportionately higher in some district in Eastern Province including Chadiza. The Performance Improvement Approach (PIA) was implemented in Chadiza District in 2021 to contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality. The overall aim of this quality improvement methodology is to analyze performance problems and setting up systems to ensure good performance is achieved. Through application of quality improvement approaches such as the Performance Improvement Approach (PIA), health workers strive to identify performance gaps and address them using the performance improvement approach.  Methods: Health care workers at district level in charge of maternal Health services. These included quality improvements focal point person at district level and, Nursing Officer at hospital level, District Nursing Officer, District Health Director and Midwives who were randomly selected were interviewed using a questionnaire. The study targeted 20 healthcare providers in Chadiza district. The study purposively selected Chadiza district because of active quality improvement projects, QI committees and had history of recording maternal death before.  Results: The findings indicated that the performance improvement approach as a quality improvement intervention is effective in reducing maternal mortality and insufficiency of human or financial resources affects the implementation of a quality improvement project. Additionally, competing activities in the district affects the implementation of a quality improvement project. It was also observed that the performance improvement approach (PIA) implementation lead to increased 1st ANC booking in first trimester, reduced maternal complication in labour and referred maternal cases reaching in time to the hospital thus effectively contributing to reduction from maternal deaths from three (3) in 2021(Pre-intervention period), two (2) in 2022 and two (2)2023 (Post intervention period).

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