Experiences of healthcare providers and caregivers regarding health system bottlenecks affecting child healthcare service delivery in a rural district: Empirical qualitative study.

Aim: To explore the experiences of nurses and caregivers about the health system bottlenecks to the delivery of child healthcare services in a rural district in Ghana.

Design: The study employed a qualitative approach using an exploratory, descriptive design.

Methods: Collection of data was through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 26 participants in the Nkwanta South Municipality, Ghana. Audio recordings of interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed qualitatively. Inductive codes generated were organised into themes and sub-themes.

Results: The main health system bottlenecks that emerged were the poor state of in-patient facilities, inadequate basic logistics and persistent shortage of essential medicines needed for child healthcare delivery.

Conclusions: Health system bottlenecks have the tendency to affect the treatment and hospitalisation outcomes of sick children and eventually impact the state of child healthcare negatively. Concerted efforts by government and local authorities to remove these barriers will help to improve child health and child health outcomes.

Public contribution: A total of 26 participants comprising nurses and caregivers, agreed and participated in this study. Interviews with these participants were conducts either in the health facilities or in the communities where they live. Their responses contributed significantly to the content of this article.