Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Health Service Uptake and Perinatal Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review.

Kassa, ZY; Scarf, V; Turkmani, S; Fox, D

Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Health Service Uptake and Perinatal Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review.

Kassa, ZY Scarf, V

Turkmani, S Fox, D

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Publisher:: MDPI
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2024, 21, (9), pp. 1188
Issue Date:: 2024-09-06

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Kassa, ZY
dc.contributor.author	Scarf, V https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3503-9610
dc.contributor.author	Turkmani, S
dc.contributor.author	Fox, D https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8032-8633
dc.date.accessioned	2024-09-30T23:26:46Z
dc.date.available	2024-09-05
dc.date.available	2024-09-30T23:26:46Z
dc.date.issued	2024-09-06
dc.identifier.citation	Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2024, 21, (9), pp. 1188
dc.identifier.issn	1661-7827
dc.identifier.issn	1660-4601
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/181115
dc.description.abstract	Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a major global public health threat that has impeded health infrastructures in low- and middle-income countries. This systematic review examines the impact of COVID-19 on maternal health service uptake and perinatal outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. We searched four databases in August 2020 and updated the search on 22 December 2023: PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Maternity and Infant Care, and EMBASE. Data extraction was performed using a standardised Joana Briggs Institute data extraction format for the eligibility of articles, and any discrepancies were solved through discussion and consensus. This systematic review includes 36 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Antenatal care attendance and institutional childbirth significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and home births increased. Fear of contracting the virus, a lack of transport, a shortage of logistic supplies, a lack of personal protective equipment, lockdown policies, economic and food security, stigmatisation of sick persons, long waiting times in the hospital, and health system weakness were barriers to accessing maternity care. The findings of this review showed a significant decrease in antenatal care attendance and institutional birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our findings, we recommend that stakeholders ensure the availability of essential medical supplies in the hospital.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	MDPI
dc.relation.ispartof	Int J Environ Res Public Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/ijerph21091188
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	Toxicology
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	Africa South of the Sahara
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy Outcome
dc.subject.mesh	Prenatal Care
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy Outcome
dc.subject.mesh	Prenatal Care
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	Africa South of the Sahara
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.title	Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Health Service Uptake and Perinatal Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	21
utslib.location.activity	Switzerland
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2024-09-30T23:26:45Z
pubs.issue	9
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	21
utslib.citation.issue	9

Abstract:

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a major global public health threat that has impeded health infrastructures in low- and middle-income countries. This systematic review examines the impact of COVID-19 on maternal health service uptake and perinatal outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. We searched four databases in August 2020 and updated the search on 22 December 2023: PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Maternity and Infant Care, and EMBASE. Data extraction was performed using a standardised Joana Briggs Institute data extraction format for the eligibility of articles, and any discrepancies were solved through discussion and consensus. This systematic review includes 36 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Antenatal care attendance and institutional childbirth significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and home births increased. Fear of contracting the virus, a lack of transport, a shortage of logistic supplies, a lack of personal protective equipment, lockdown policies, economic and food security, stigmatisation of sick persons, long waiting times in the hospital, and health system weakness were barriers to accessing maternity care. The findings of this review showed a significant decrease in antenatal care attendance and institutional birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our findings, we recommend that stakeholders ensure the availability of essential medical supplies in the hospital.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/181115