Table 3

Major theme and subthemes (factors)

ThemeSubthemes (factors)
Human resource capacities in health facilitiesNadowli District Hospital

  • Staff shortages on service delivery.

Staffing and the effects on subdistrict health facilities

  • Skilled attendance at birth.

  • Nurses–expectant mother relationships.

  • Management of basic and emergency obstetric cases.

Health facility infrastructure

  • Service space in maternity units.

  • Water supply.

  • Lighting system.

Medical equipment and logistics availability and functionalityNadowli District Hospital

  • Logistics shortages on infection control procedures.

Subdistrict health facilities

  • Essential medicines at the subdistrict level.

  • Transport services.

Management of referrals of emergency obstetric and newborn complications

  • Typical referral management procedure at the subdistrict healthcare level.

  • Transport services during referrals.

  • National ambulance services.

  • Public and private transport services.

  • Managing information and communication during emergency obstetric referral.