Ditsela Tsa Isago: Exploring Road Development's Impact on Maternal and Newborn Health in Botswana
A Researcher's Ethnographic Journey through Southern Africa
Research Focus
Dipatlisiso
Background and Significance
Botlhokwa jwa Dipatlisiso
Maternal and newborn mortality remain major global health challenges, with preventable complications causing most deaths. While Botswana has made significant progress in healthcare, including a high rate of skilled birth attendance and expanded emergency obstetric services, maternal mortality remains over twice the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1 target of 70 per 100,000 live births. Geographic accessibility is a key barrier, influenced by challenges such as road quality, rural infrastructure gaps, and urban congestion. This study will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Google Maps API, predictive modelling, and qualitative research to explore how Botswana’s road networks impact access to comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEmONC). By identifying areas for infrastructure improvement, the research aims to support Botswana’s efforts to meet global health targets and provide insights relevant to other Sub-Saharan African countries.
Dintsho tsa baimana le masea a a sa tswang go tsholwa di santse di le dikgwetlho tse dikgolo tsa boitekanelo tsa lefatshe, ka mathata a a ka thibelwang a a bakang bontsi jwa dintsho. Le fa Botswana e dirile kgatelopele e e bonalang mo tlhokomelong ya boitekanelo, go akaretsa le seelo se se kwa godimo sa go tsenela pelegi ka bokgoni le ditirelo tse di atolositsweng tsa pelegi ya tshoganyetso, dintsho tsa baimana di sa ntse di feta gabedi seelo sa UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1 sa 70 mo maseeng a le 100,000 a a tshelang. Phitlhelelo ya thutafatshe ke sekgoreletsi se segolo, se se tlhotlhelediwang ke dikgwetlho tse di jaaka boleng jwa ditsela, diphatlha tsa mafaratlhatlha a kwa magaeng, le pitlagano ya ditoropo. Thutopatlisiso eno e tla dirisa Ditsamaiso tsa Tshedimosetso ya Thutafatshe (GIS), Google Maps API, go dira sekao se se bonelwang pele, le patlisiso ya boleng go sekaseka kafa dineteweke tsa ditsela tsa Botswana di amang ka gone phitlhelelo ya tlhokomelo e e tseneletseng ya tshoganyetso ya pelegi le ya masea a a sa tswang go tsholwa (CEmONC). Ka go supa mafelo a a tshwanetseng go tokafadiwa mafaratlhatlha, patlisiso e ikaeletse go tshegetsa maiteko a Botswana a go fitlhelela dintlha tsa lefatshe lotlhe tsa boitekanelo le go tlamela ka dintlha tse di maleba le dinaga tse dingwe tsa Aforika e e kwa Borwa jwa Sahara.
Aim and Research Questions
Aim and Research Questions
To understand how road access to essential lifesaving Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care affects maternal and newborn health outcomes in Botswana. 
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What is the impact of roads and related infrastructure on maternal and newborn health outcomes in Sub-Saharan African countries?  
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To what extent does road access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care facilities affect maternal and newborn health outcomes in Botswana? 
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What are the barriers and facilitators to timely access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care among pregnant women in Botswana? 
Go tlhaloganya ka moo phitlhelelo ya tsela ya Tlhokomelo ya Tshoganyetso e e Akaretsa ya Pelegiso le Masea a a Sa Tswang go Tsholwa e e botlhokwa e e bolokang matshelo e amang ditlamorago tsa boitekanelo jwa baimana le masea a a sa tswang go tsholwa mo Botswana. 
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Ditsela le mafaratlhatlha a a amanang le tsona di ama jang ditlamorago tsa boitekanelo jwa baimana le masea a a sa tswang go tsholwa mo dinageng tsa Aforika e e kwa Borwa jwa Sahara?  
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Go fitlhelela ditsela go ya kwa ditheong tsa Tlhokomelo ya Tshoganyetso ya Pelegi le Tlhokomelo ya Masea a a Sa tswang go Tsalwa go ama ditlamorago tsa boitekanelo jwa baimana le masea a a sa tswang go tsholwa go le kana kang mo Botswana? 
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Dikgoreletsi le batsamaisi ba phitlhelelo ka nako ya Tlhokomelo e e Tseneletseng ya Tshoganyetso ya Pelegi le Masea a a sa tswang go tsholwa ke eng mo basading ba baimana mo Botswana?
Methodology
Mokgwa wa go ruta
This study uses a combination of frameworks to explore maternal and newborn health (MNH) outcomes in Botswana. Driven by a Theory of Change research framework ensures the research aligns with Sustainable Development Goals, while Systems Theory examines how road infrastructure and healthcare systems work together to impact health. The Social Determinants of Health framework highlights the environmental, economic, and social factors that influence MNH. The Theory of Access focuses on barriers like availability, affordability, and accessibility, and the Three Delays Model explores delays in seeking, reaching, and receiving care. Together, these frameworks provide a clear and comprehensive way to understand how road access and healthcare systems affect MNH outcomes.
Thutopatlisiso e e dirisa kopanyo ya matlhomeso go sekaseka dipoelo tsa boitekanelo jwa baimana le masea a a sa tswang go tsholwa (MNH) mo Botswana. E kgweediwa ke letlhomeso la patlisiso la Kgopolo ya Phetogo le netefatsa gore patlisiso e tsamaisana le Maikaelelo a Tlhabololo e e Tswelelang, fa Kgopolo ya Ditsamaiso e sekaseka ka moo mafaratlhatlha a ditsela le ditsamaiso tsa tlhokomelo ya boitekanelo di dirisanang mmogo ka teng go ama boitekanelo. Letlhomeso la Ditlhomamiso tsa Loago tsa Boitekanelo le tlhagisa dintlha tsa tikologo, ikonomi, le loago tse di tlhotlheletsang MNH. Kgopolo ya Phitlhelelo e tsepamisitse mogopolo mo dikgoreletsing tse di jaaka go nna teng, go kgona go duelela, le go kgona go fitlhelela, mme Mokgwa wa Ditiego tse Tharo o sekaseka ditiego tsa go batla, go fitlhelela, le go amogela tlhokomelo. Mmogo, matlhomeso ano a tlamela ka tsela e e tlhamaletseng le e e akaretsang ya go tlhaloganya ka fao phitlhelelo ya ditsela le ditsamaiso tsa tlhokomelo ya boitekanelo di amang dipoelo tsa MNH ka teng.
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About Me
Meet Elizabeth Tekanyo
Welcome to Elizabeth Tekanyo's researcher blog, where groundbreaking research meets personal narratives. As a public health researcher specializing in sexology and anthropology, Elizabeth is passionate about exploring the intersection of road development, climate-related disaster response, and its impact on sexual and reproductive health in Botswana. Join her journey as she shares unique insights and experiences that shape her work and mission to drive positive change in the field.
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In-Depth Studies and Findings
Road Development
Challenges and Solutions
Delve into the complexities of road development's effects on sexual and reproductive health in Botswana. Elizabeth's research uncovers the challenges faced by communities, offering innovative solutions and advocating for sustainable policies to address these critical issues.
Climate-Related Health Impacts
Resilience and Adaptation
Explore the intricate relationship between climate-related breakdowns and their influence on sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Elizabeth's work highlights the resilience of communities and emphasizes the importance of adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of environmental changes.
Personal Insights
Behind the Research
Get a glimpse into Elizabeth's personal experiences and reflections as a researcher. From fieldwork challenges to breakthrough moments, she shares the human side of academia and the emotional journey of unraveling complex societal issues.