Background The Solomon Islands is a developing country facing significant barriers to the provision of quality antenatal and obstetric care. The maternal mortality rate is 114/100 000 live births, ranking the Solomon Islands 113th globally. Investigating maternal mortality may yield valuable insight into improving these numbers. Aim The objective of this study was to review all cases of maternal mortality at the National Referral Hospital, Solomon Islands over a five‐year period. Materials and methods This was a retrospective review of maternal deaths occurring at the National Referral Hospital, Solomon Islands from 2013 to 2017. Data on maternal demographics, characteristics and cause of death were collected. Results There were 39 maternal deaths at the National Referral Hospital from 2013 to 2017. The maternal mortality rate of the National Referral Hospital (139/100 000) is higher than the national rate (114/100 000). Most deaths were direct, with 28% attributed to haemorrhage. Overall, 79% of the total maternal deaths had elements that may be considered preventable, with laboratory delays present in 54% and medication shortages present in 29% of cases. Conclusion Maternal mortality is high in the Solomon Islands, with many potentially preventable deaths occurring at the National Referral Hospital. Continued focus on improving data collection, access to resources, and training is vital to reduce maternal mortality in the Solomon Islands.

Background Newborn mortality in Oceania declined slower than other regions in the past 25 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the Early Essential Newborn Care program (EENC) in 2015 in Solomon Islands, a Small Island Developing State, to address high newborn mortality. We explored knowledge and skills retention among healthcare workers following EENC coaching. Methods Between March 2015 and December 2017, healthcare workers in five hospitals were assessed: pre- and post-clinical coaching and at a later evaluation. Standardised written and clinical skills assessments for breathing and non-breathing baby scenarios were used. Additionally, written surveys were completed during evaluation for feedback on the EENC experience. Results Fifty-three healthcare workers were included in the evaluation. Median time between initial coaching and evaluation was 21 months (IQR 18–26). Median written score increased from 44% at baseline to 89% post-coaching (p < 0.001), and was 61% at evaluation (p < 0.001). Skills assessment score was 20% at baseline and 95% post-coaching in the Breathing Baby scenario (p < 0.001). In the Non-Breathing Baby scenario, score was 63% at baseline and 86% post-coaching (p < 0.001). At evaluation, median score in the Breathing Baby scenario was 82% a reduction of 13% from post-coaching (p < 0.001) and 72% for the Non-Breathing Baby, a reduction of 14% post-coaching (p < 0.001). Nurse aides had least reduction in evaluation scores of − 2% for the Breathing Baby and midwives − 10% for the Non-Breathing Baby respectively from post-coaching to evaluation. Conclusions EENC coaching resulted in immediate improvements in knowledge and skills but declined over time. Healthcare workers who used the skills in regular practice had higher scores. Complementary quality improvement strategies are needed to sustain resuscitation skills following training over time. Trial registration Australia New Zealand Trial Registry, Retrospective Registration (12/2/2019), registration number ACTRN12619000201178.

Aim: Data on stillbirths and neonatal morbidity and mortality in low-middle income Pacific Island Nations such as Solomon Islands is limited, partly due to weak health information systems. We describe the perinatal mortality and clinical factors associated with poor newborn outcomes at four hospitals in Solomon Islands. Methods: This was a registry based retrospective cohort study at three provincial hospitals and the National Referral Hospital (NRH) from 2014-2016 inclusive. Results: 23 966 labour ward births and 3148 special care nursery (SCN) admissions were reviewed. Overall still birth rate was 29.2/1000 births and the perinatal mortality rate was 35.9/1000 births. PNMR were higher in provincial hospitals (46.2, 44.0 and 34.3/1000) than at NRH (33.3/1000). The commonest reasons for admission to SCN across the hospitals were sepsis, complications of prematurity and birth asphyxia. SCN mortality rates were higher in the 3 provincial hospitals than at NRH (15.9% (95/598) vs. 7.9% (202/2550), P value <0.01). At NRH, the conditions with the highest case fatality rates were birth asphyxia (21.3%), congenital abnormalities (17.7%), and prematurity (15.1%). Up to 11% of neonates did not have a diagnosis recorded. Conclusions: The perinatal mortality rates are high and intrapartum complications, prematurity and sepsis are the main causes of morbidity and mortality for neonates at hospitals in Solomon Islands. Stillbirths account for 81% of perinatal deaths. These results are useful for planning for quality improvement at provincial level. Improved vital registration systems are required to better capture stillbirths and neonatal outcomes.

Multifaceted interventions are important in improving neonatal quality of care and health outcomes. This study describes the implementation of an intervention to improve the quality of newborn care in Solomon Islands, a small island developing state and lower middle-income country in the Western Pacific. Inputs included training, equipment provision, and healthcare system organizational changes. For evaluation, we used a mixed-methods design, using quantitative (audits of health facility equipment, structure, and organization) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions with healthcare workers) methods. Participants highlighted the practical, interactive, coaching style of training and its short duration as positive features in establishing skills. Training had indirect impacts through improving culture of the workplace, and the evaluation provided a valuable opportunity for reflection of the implementation process for healthcare workers. Facility limitations from equipment deficits and poor condition of clinical areas had implications by limiting the provision of quality care, as well as contributing to healthcare workers feeling undervalued. Resuscitation of a nonbreathing baby was a stressful experience for many health workers, compounded by geographic isolation and feeling unsupported. Our findings highlight the importance of training methodology, impact from structural limitations, and experience of resuscitation for the healthcare worker. Attention to these factors may help the design and implementation of newborn care programs in similar contexts.