How do you improve healthcare for pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa? That's a challenge PhD student Salma Ahmed hopes to tackle through research – shifting the focus from basic health access to quality of care.
Photo: Andy Roberts
Can you tell us a bit about your research and how it addresses the issue of health access?
My research is about improving the quality of healthcare services for pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in countries like Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, and South Sudan. I want to make sure that women receive respectful care during childbirth, which can reduce stress and hospitalisation rates, ultimately improving their satisfaction with healthcare services.
One of my goals is to help policymakers and program officers understand the importance of this kind of care so that they can make positive changes that will improve the quality of healthcare services.
What inspired you to focus on this topic, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
I’m passionate about the health of women and children in developing countries, and I want to contribute to the wellbeing of women and children around the globe by advocating for positive changes in policy and programs.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was getting people to understand the importance of humanising maternity services. Many policymakers and program officers prioritise increasing access to healthcare services over improving the quality of care.
Women in Sudan often receive poor quality health services and face significant disrespect and abuse during childbirth when they are most vulnerable. As a result, many women choose to deliver at home to avoid obstetric violence.
This has to change – they are entitled to respectful care that focuses on their needs.
Your research has been published in a peer-reviewed journal – can you tell us what that process was like and how it feels to have your work recognised in this way?
Publishing my work in a peer-reviewed journal took a lot of time and energy, but it was worth it.
My faculty’s 12 weeks to publication course encouraged me to stick to a set timeline and improved my writing skills. The first stage involved planning and scoping the manuscript, doing a literature review to identify knowledge gaps, and refining my research questions. By the end of the 12th week, I’d submitted the manuscript to a reputable peer-reviewed journal.
Seeing my work published recognised that I – with the support and guidance of my supervisors – produced reliable scientific research. It meant the world to me and I’m so proud of the outcome.
Salma Ahmed with her PhD supervisor, Dr Abela Mahimbo. Photo: Andy Roberts
How has being a PhD student at UTS supported your research and professional goals?
UTS has been a great support for my research and professional goals. My supervisors, Professor Angela Dawson and Dr Abela Mahimbo, have provided unfailing support and guidance. I meet with them regularly to review my progress and plan the next steps, and these meetings have been instrumental in guiding me through the process.
I also have access to numerous workshops to improve my research skills, such as research methods, literature search and critical appraisal, and academic writing. To help with my career beyond my PhD, UTS also offers career counselling and one-on-one support to write resumes and job applications.
As a PhD student, what advice would you give to other students who are interested in pursuing research in public health or related fields?
If you're interested in pursuing a PhD in public health or a related field, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. It's a long journey with many challenges (and lots of grey hair!) but having a clear understanding of your goals and passions can help you stay motivated.