Our members: Dr Nancy Hamura
A RANZCOG Foundation Global Health grant funded Dr Hamura’s important research into the timing of antenatal care in Papua New Guinea, informing education and improving outcomes for local women.
In 2017, Dr Nancy Hamura from Papua New Guinea – then a trainee – was awarded a RANZCOG Foundation Global Health research grant to support her Master of Medicine research project, an integral part of her O&G training.
In most developing nations, it is always a struggle to get women to book early for antenatal care for various reasons including health workers’ bad attitude, limited number of staff, poor accessibility to the antenatal clinics (distance and cost), unhappy experience during previous pregnancies and efforts to avoid multiple visits to the clinic. In spite of the value of antenatal care, the low rate of utilisation of facilities and the reasons for this is why this study was initiated.”
Dr Hamura’s research explored the factors associated with the timing of initiation of antenatal care at Port Moresby General Hospital. Her research findings have informed development of education for women about the importance of booking early for antenatal care.
In this study, women expressed the need for public health education. When women understand the importance of booking early for antenatal care, and do so, many advantages accrue, such as establishing the gestation as accurately as possible to set the scene for future decision-making.”
Now a Pacific Associate member of RANZCOG, we look forward to the continuing role Dr Hamura plays in furthering women’s health research and education in Papua New Guinea, and improving equity of access to quality health care.
Read the study in O&G Magazine
