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Table 2 Study findings

From: Quality of care in the free maternal healthcare era in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review of providers’ and managers’ perceptions

Author & date

Study pop.

Type of maternal healthcare financing policy

Significant study findings

Perception of quality of care

Dalinjong et al. 2018 [51]

Providers and managers

Free maternal healthcare

No strengthening of health system before implementing the free maternal health policy, facilities at the peripherals were not adequately resourced and lack of essential inputs.

Poor

Ganle et al. 2014 [48]

Providers

Free maternal healthcare

Limited and inequitable distribution of skilled maternal services, increased workload and difficulties in arranging the proper transport for referral cases

Poor

Nabyonga-Orem et al. 2008 [49]

Providers

Free maternal healthcare

Irregular drug and injectable supply, no fuel to facilitate providers movement and no allowances for staff

Poor

Nimpagaritse and Bertone 2011 [46]

Managers

Free maternal healthcare

Increase utilization of service delivery, high workload of providers and delay of reimbursement. No clear definition of the policy

Poor

Okonofua et al. 2011 [53]

Providers

Partial free maternal healthcare

Inadequate and improper allocation of funding

Poor

Pyone et al. 2017 [45]

Providers and managers

Free maternal healthcare

Weak enforcement mechanism, and lack of clarity of policy, delay in reimbursement and increased workload of providers with no allowances

Poor

Wamalwa 2015 [44]

Providers

Free maternal healthcare

No additional staff with overwhelming workload with no allowance, shortage of logistics, and delay in reimbursement

Poor

Dalinjong and Laar 2013 [2]

Providers

Free maternal healthcare

High utilization of service delivery of the insured. Delay in reimbursement, long working hours for providers without any motivation

Poor

Korom et al. 2017 [40]

Providers

Free maternal healthcare

Inadequate beds, and drugs supplies, no delivery rooms, no portable water.

Poor

Ogbuabor and Onwujekwe 2018 [52]

Providers and managers

Free maternal healthcare

No Health Facility Committee (HFC) participation, low awareness of level of funding, and weak legal framework

Poor

Belaid and Ridde 2015 [55]

Providers and managers

Partially free obstetric care

Staff strengthening and providers integration into the community

Good

Ridde and Diarra 2009 [43]

Providers

Free maternal healthcare

Health providers partially` object to the abolition of user-fee, perception of unsustainability of policy. Poor coordination of the availability of free maternal service at different levels in the health pyramid

Poor

Witter et al. 2013 [47]

Providers

Free maternal healthcare

Tariffs inadequacy from health insurance, location of facilities skewed in favour of those within urban centers, no financial support for the programme and increased workload of providers

Poor

Kuwawenaruwa et al. 2019 [54]

Providers

Free maternal healthcare

Overcrowding leading to unfilled forms, no allowance for extra duties. Limited training for providers, delay of reimbursement

Poor

Lang’at and Mwanri 2015 [42]

Providers and managers

Free maternal healthcare

Delays in reimbursement by the government to the facility, stock out of essential drugs, increase workload amidst staff shortage and no motivation

Poor