A doctoral candidate at Nkumba University has recommended the nationwide adoption of an integrated maternal healthcare model to improve the quality of life of young pregnant mothers, based on findings from a study conducted in Eastern Uganda.
Joan Nakkazi, who defended her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis during a Viva Voce examination, said her research established that strengthening the utilization of maternal healthcare services significantly improves the health-related quality of life of pregnant mothers.
Her study, titled “Maternal Health Care Services Utilization and Health-Related Quality of Life of Young Pregnant Mothers Aged 10–24 Years in Eastern Uganda,” examined how antenatal care (ANC), skilled birth attendance (SBA), postnatal care (PNC), and community support systems influence maternal well-being among young mothers.
Presenting her findings, Nakkazi said the evidence generated from the study supports the effectiveness, adaptability, and scalability of the SMILES model, an integrated framework designed to improve maternal healthcare utilization and health outcomes among young mothers.
“The same aspects that make the model workable, adaptable, and effective in improving outcomes can be applied among young pregnant mothers in different settings. This supports its policy relevance and scalability for wider adoption,” she said.
Based on the findings, Nakkazi developed a policy brief that seeks to improve the quality of life of young pregnant mothers in Eastern Uganda through strengthened utilization of integrated maternal healthcare services.
“The policy brief promotes youth-centered and respectful maternal care, stronger community-facility linkages and sustainable support systems guided by the SMILES model for national adoption and scale-up,” she explained.
According to the study, early initiation and consistent attendance of antenatal care services significantly enhance health-related quality of life among young mothers. The research further established that interactions with skilled healthcare providers and access to psychosocial support systems increase confidence, build trust, and improve maternal health outcomes.
Nakkazi noted that postnatal care services become more effective when combined with psychosocial support interventions, including community-based follow-up mechanisms. “Beyond providing routine postnatal services, there is a need to integrate psychosocial support to strengthen mothers’ confidence, foster trust and create supportive communities of care,” she said.
The study also found that individual factors such as age, pregnancy experiences, healthcare-seeking behaviour, and birth preparedness significantly influence the relationship between maternal healthcare service utilization and quality of life.
“These findings call for more individualized and context-sensitive interventions targeting young mothers. Maternal healthcare services should be differentiated and equity-focused to address the unique circumstances of different categories of young mothers,” she added.
To address the identified gaps, Nakkazi recommended that the Ministry of Health, district health officers and healthcare facility managers strengthen youth-responsive antenatal care services by integrating psychosocial support into routine maternal healthcare programmes.
She further urged district leadership, health facility teams, and community leaders to intensify facility-level sensitization campaigns, ensure the availability of skilled healthcare providers, and promote respectful, high-quality maternity care.
For postnatal care, the researcher recommended stronger follow-up systems, integration of mental health screening and quality-of-life assessments, as well as sustained community support led by Village Health Teams (VHTs). “Community-informed and supportive interventions operationalized through the SMILES model provide a sustainable framework for improving maternal healthcare utilization and health-related quality of life among young pregnant mothers,” she said.
The recommendations come at a time when Uganda continues to prioritize maternal and child health under the National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly efforts aimed at reducing maternal mortality and improving access to quality reproductive health services.
According to health sector reports, adolescent pregnancy remains a significant public health challenge in Uganda, especially in rural and underserved communities, where young mothers often face barriers to accessing timely and quality maternal healthcare services.
Researchers and health practitioners have increasingly advocated for youth-friendly healthcare approaches that address not only medical needs but also the social, psychological, and economic factors affecting maternal health outcomes.
Nakkazi’s study adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of integrated, community-supported maternal healthcare interventions in improving the lives of young mothers and their children.
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