Delays in accessing high-quality care for newborns in East Africa: An analysis of survey data in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania

Background Despite the existence of evidence-based interventions, substantial progress in reducing neonatal mortality is lagging, indicating that small and sick newborns (SSNs) are likely not receiving the care they require to survive and thrive. The “three delays model” provides a framework for understanding the challenges in accessing care for SSNs. However, the extent to which each of the delays impacts access to care for SSNs is not well-understood. To fill this evidence gap, we explored the impact of each of the three delays on access to care for SSNs in Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Methods Secondary analyses of data from three different surveys served as the foundation of this study. To understand the impact of delays in the decision to seek care (delay 1) and the ability to reach an appropriate point of care (delay 2), we investigated time trends in place of birth disaggregated by facility type and explored care-seeking behaviors for newborns who died. To understand the impact of delays accessing high-quality care after reaching a facility (delay 3), we measured facility readiness to manage care for SSNs and used this measure to adjust institutional delivery coverage for SSN care readiness. Findings Coverage of institutional deliveries was substantially lower after adjusting for facility readiness to manage SSN care, with decreases of 30 percentage points (pp) in Malawi, 14pp in Mozambique, and 24pp in Tanzania. While trends suggest more SSNs are born in facilities, substantial gaps remain in facilities’ capacities to provide lifesaving interventions. In addition, exploration of care-seeking pathways revealed that a substantial proportion of newborn deaths occurred outside of health facilities, indicating barriers in the decision to seek care or ability to reach an appropriate source of care may also prevent SSNs from receiving these interventions. Conclusions Investments are needed to overcome delays in accessing high quality care for the most vulnerable newborns – those who are born small or sick. As more mothers and newborns access health services in low- and middle-income countries, ensuring that life-saving interventions for SSNs are available at the locations where newborns are born and seek care after birth is critical.