The design of Maternity Units in contexts with limited resources. Integrating international guidelines specifications with a cultural approach to improve the quality of care

Within the projection of maternity units, there are different international organisations and governments that develop guidelines for these health infrastructures to meet all the requirements of hygiene, sanitation, infection and disease prevention and control. However, in resource-limited settings, access to maternal health and/or adequate health facilities is restricted, putting the lives of mothers and babies at risk. In such contexts, the application of international guidelines may vary according to socio-cultural factors and characteristics of the population. For this reason, it is important to adapt international guidelines for maternity units to the needs of the local context and culture. On this basis, this thesis is the result of research to assess which cultural factors can be integrated into the design of a maternity unit, responding to the needs of users, improving the user experience, and the quality of care offered. This research was conducted through a literature review that allowed for the recognition of new approaches to design and care, to respond to the needs of users and to implement a culturally sensitive approach. In addition, a methodology was developed to identify which features are important to include within the maternity unit, according to the perceptions of a specific culture. This tool is primarily designed to assess resource-limited and underdeveloped contexts. An analysis of maternity unit projects built around the world was also conducted to better understand the spatial and functional characteristics that they develop, as well as to identify whether they incorporate non-conventional spaces. Finally, a conceptual proposal is arrived at for a possible spatial organisation of the maternity unit that integrates non-conventional spaces as a response to the different cultural needs that the users of the unit may have.