Lactating Women's Perception of the Free Health Care Initiative in Rural Sierra Leone

• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1515/1948-4682.1200
• Author: John F. Yannessa,Fredanna A. D. M'Cormack,Fredline A. O. M'Cormack‐Hale
• Published date: 01 April 2012
• Date: 01 April 2012

Volume 4, Issue 1 • 2012 • Article 5

Lactating Women's Perception of the Free Health Care

Initiative in Rural Sierra Leone

Fredanna A. D. M'Cormack, Coastal Carolina University

Fredline A. O. M'Cormack-Hale, Seton Hall University

John F. Yannessa, Coastal Carolina University

M'Cormack, Fredanna A. D.; M'Cormack-Hale, Fredline A. O.; and Yannessa, John F. (2012)

"Lactating Women's Perception of the Free Health Care Initiative in Rural Sierra Leone," World

Medical & Health Policy: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 5.

©2012 Policy Studies Organization

DOI: 10.1515/1948-4682.1200

Lactating Women's Perception of the Free

Health Care Initiative in Rural Sierra Leone

Fredanna A. D. M'Cormack, Coastal Carolina University

Fredline A. O. M'Cormack-Hale, Seton Hall University

John F. Yannessa, Coastal Carolina University

Abstract

Introduction: On April 27, 2010 Sierra Leone implemented the Free Health Care Initiative

(FHCI) for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under age five to address high mortality

and morbidity. This study examined participant satisfaction with health services before and after

the FHCI implementation.

Methods: This was a retrospective study that assessed healthcare satisfaction in rural Sierra

Leone after the implementation of the FHCI. Participants were interviewed using a structured

satisfaction questionnaire about the FHCI.

Conclusions: Results find a positive, statistically significant difference in participant

satisfaction with ambulance services after the implementation of the FHCI compared to the level

of satisfaction prior to the FHCI. Although results indicate a very slight increase in overall

satisfaction with healthcare services, and a slight decrease in satisfaction with drug availability

after the implementation of FHCI, the results are not statistically significant. Findings also indicate

that participants attending emergency obstetric care (EmOC) facilities were less satisfied with the

services provided than those attending the non-EmOC facility or hospital.

KEYWORDS: Sierra Leone, lactating, women, healthcare, FHCI, free health

Author Notes: This study was made possible with funds provided by a Coastal Carolina University

Research Enhancement Grant and from a Seton Hall University Research Council Grant. An earlier

version of this paper was presented at the Carolina Women's Health Research Forum on October

29, 2010 in Columbia, SC, USA.