An inquiry into the feasibility of integration of the advanced midwifery and neonatology clinical nurse specialist in the district health system: the Zambian experience

Abstract

Research has shown that there is a problem in the delivery of quality care in maternal and child health services in Zambia. The 1996 Zambia demographic and health survey estimated maternal mortality rate as high as 649 per 100,000 live birth, with this reason among others, human resource constraints and low number of supervised antenatal clinics, deliveries and postnatal clinics by skilled personnel as some of the reasons for the high maternal mortality. Selected studies identify the role of a clinical nurse specialist in advanced midwifery and neonatology who has acquired the knowledge and practical skills to bring about the desired impact of quality care in safe mother hood in order to bring down the high maternal mortality rates. In order to achieve this, the government needs to integrate the advanced midwifery and neonatology clinical nurse specialist in the health system. It was the purpose of the study to inquire into the feasibility of integration of the advanced midwifery and neonatology clinical nurse specialist in the Ndola District Health system .