title: Role of faith-based and nongovernment organizations in the provision of obstetric services in 3 African countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to describe obstetric care capacity of nongovernment organization (NGO)-/faith-based organization (FBO)-run institutions compared to government-run institutions in 3 African countries using the World Health Organization Global Survey. We also compared delivery characteristics and outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a descriptive analysis of the 22 NGO-/FBO-run institutions in Uganda, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo delivering 11,594 women, compared to 20 government-run institutions delivering 25,825 women in the same countries and period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Infrastructure, obstetric services, diagnostic facilities, and anesthesiology at NGO/FBO institutions were comparable to government institutions. Women delivering at NGO/FBO institutions had more antenatal care, antenatal complications, and cesarean delivery. NGO/FBO institutions had higher obstetrician attendance and lower rates of eclampsia, preterm birth, stillbirth, Apgar <7, and neonatal near miss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NGO/FBO institutions are comparable to government institutions in capacity to deliver obstetric care. NGO/FBOs have been found effective in providing delivery care in developing countries and should be appropriately recognized by stakeholders in their efforts to assist nations achieve international goals.
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia. vogeljo@who.int
authors.forename: Joshua Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Ana Pilar
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Betrán
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Widmer
authors.forename: João Paulo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Ahmet Metin
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gülmezoglu
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seuc
authors.forename: Maria Regina
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Torloni
authors.forename: Tigest Ketsela
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Mengestu
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merialdi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D005260:Female; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D009938:Organizations; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D014454:Uganda; D014944:World Health Organization; D055815:Young Adult