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Table 1 Framework for the classification of level of ANC provision in Zambian health facilities

From: Quality of antenatal care in Zambia: a national assessment

WHO quality of care dimension

Process attributes

Minimum requirements for optimum level

Minimum requirements for adequate level

Access to care

ANC days per week

3+

1

Responsiveness & Appropriateness

ANC outreach

No requirement

No requirement

IPT of malaria

Yes

No requirement

Folate/iron supplement

Yes

No requirement

VCT for HIV

Yes

No requirement

Pre-eclampsia screening

Yes

No requirement

Continuity of care

PMTCT service

Yes

No requirement

Delivery service

Yes

No requirement

Postnatal service

No requirement

No requirement

Routine FP information

No requirement

No requirement

Patient safety

Skilled health workers registered a

3+

1

EmOC or EmOC referral capacity

Yes

No requirement

Effectiveness & Efficiency

Screening tests: Hemoglobin, Syphilis, Urine protein, Urine sugar, Blood group + Rhesus factor

Any 3+ tests (including urine protein)

Any 1 test

ANC functions: Folate/iron supplement, Tetanus vaccine, VCT for HIV, PMTCT of HIV, IPT of malaria

All 5 functions

Any 3 functions

  1. a Doctor, nurse/midwife, clinical officer.
  2. VCT, voluntary counseling and testing; IPT, intermittent preventive treatment; PMTCT, prevention of mother to child transmission.