Insights from the MICS Conference: Exploring Process quality in Child Curative Care in the DRC

This blog post presents key findings from Roland Mady’s presentation at the International Conference on Children and their Families, using the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys which took place September 2-3, 2024, in Bristol, UK. Mady is a researcher with Countdown to 2030 and a research associate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The conference showcased research using MICS microdata from diverse contexts, including developing nations, emergency situations, and fragile states, as well as presentations on innovative household survey methodologies. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) programme, first introduced in the 1990s, has become a pivotal tool for gathering essential data on the health and well-being of children and women across the globe. As of now, over 350 surveys have been conducted across 121 countries, contributing to critical insights into maternal and child health.

The presentation, titled Effective Coverage for Child Curative Care Using MICS Data: A Case Study in the Democratic Republic of Congo, provided vital insights into child curative care in the DRC using data from the 2017-18 MICS (Round 6) and the DRC Service Provision Assessment (SPA).

The study revealed alarming gaps in the quality of care provided to sick children: among children experiencing at least one of the three diseases (diarrhea, fever/malaria and acute respiratory infection/pneumonia), care was sought for 54% of them from any source by their parents or caretaker, and only 37% did so from health facilities or skilled providers. The research further highlighted the lack of readiness among the health facilities visited, with a readiness score of just 19%, and only 26% of sick children receiving treatment. Even more concerning, only 10% of the treatments met the required process quality standards.

Mady’s presentation underscored the critical role of health facilities in ensuring proper curative care. However, the data showed a widespread lack of readiness, particularly in essential supplies, medicines, and provider training, leading to low-quality care and inequities in access. Notably, children living in rural areas, from poorer households, or with mothers/caretakers who had lower education levels faced worse outcomes, indicating significant disparities in care based on socio-economic status and geographical location.

The research highlights that a substantial number of health facilities in the DRC have limited capacity to provide IMCI health services that meet established standards, and significant inequities in care. This underscores the urgent need for improvements in health facility supplies, counseling services, and the training of healthcare providers to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to childhood health.

As we move towards 2030, addressing these gaps will be critical for ensuring universal coverage and improving child survival rates. By drawing attention to these pressing issues, the MICS conference once again highlighted the indispensable role of data-driven research in shaping policies and interventions that can truly make a difference in the lives of children around the world.

 

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