Table 1 Profile and characteristics of policy documents on reproductive and child health in Ghana
S/No | Year of publication | Title of policy | Document source/publisher | Main focus of policy | Main research/evidence/ publication informing the policy cited in document | Process employed in the policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Ghana Health Service (GHS), 2003 [55] | National Breastfeeding Policy | GHS, Accra | Improve upon maternal and child health through the promotion, protection and support of optimal breastfeeding practices and appropriate complementary feeding practices | No scientific evidence was cited in the document, but other views of professionals were reflected | Developed through expert views |
2. | Ministry of Health, 2014 [56] | Ghana National Newborn Health Strategy and Action Plan 2014–2018 | Ministry of Health (MOH), Accra-Ghana | Provides a newborn scale-up strategy and action plan for addressing newborn mortality in Ghana | Employed a scientific evidence-based process for policy development | Adopted a detailed desk review of relevant policy on maternal and child health system performance in Ghana. Data on Household Survey (DHS, Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys) were reviewed. Field visit was adopted, stakeholders discussions were initiated |
3. | Ministry of Health, 2007 [57] | Under 5 child Health Policy: 2007–2015 | MOH, Ghana | Provides a framework for programme planning, implementation and evaluation geared towards improving child survival and wellbeing. Provides standards and guidelines to prevention and treatment of child illness | No academic publication was cited in the document | Developed through consultation of stakeholders’ views and a review of relevant policy documents |
4 | Ghana Health Service, 2015 [58] | Report on the Burden of Obstetric Fistula in Ghana | GHS, Ghana UNFPA | Report on the burden of obstetric fistula in Ghana, examining personnel capacity in managing the condition | Employed scientific research evidence in the document write-up | Adopted a qualitative research approach with a survey in document preparation |
5 | Ministry of Health, 2013 [59] | Postpartum Hemorrhage Prevention and Management Strategy for Ghana | MOH, Accra PATH | Provides data on the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage in Ghana. Establishes a framework and guideline for postpartum haemorrhage prevention and management | Cited some empirical-based research | Collection of expert views and stakeholder consultation as well as a review of some relevant institutional policy, reports and household survey |
6 | Ministry of Health, 2007 [60] | Anti-Malaria Drug policy for Ghana | MOH, Accra | Provides policy measures and guidelines for the treatment of Malaria in Ghana | No publication is cited | Developed through stakeholder consultation and expert views |
7 | Ministry of Health, 2015 [61] | National Condom and Lubricant Strategy 2016–2020 | Ghana AIDS Commission, Accra USAID UNFPA GHS, Accra | Establishes a national strategic framework to promote quality sexual and reproductive health | No publication was cited in the document | Collection of information from national strategic and action plan for HIV/AIDS prevention, reproductive health, etc. There was a consultation with other stakeholders |