scholarly journals The direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child health services in Africa: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prince Adu ◽  
Lisa Stallwood ◽  
Stephen O. Adebola ◽  
Theresa Abah ◽  
Arnold Ikedichi Okpani
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Maternal And Child Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Child Health Services ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
And Child Health

Abstract IntroductionThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to disrupt the availability and utilization of routine and emergency health care services, with differing impacts in jurisdictions across the world. In this scoping review, we set out to synthesize documentation of the direct and indirect effect of the pandemic, and national responses to it, on maternal and child health (MNCH) in Africa.MethodsA scoping review was conducted to provide an overview of the most significant impacts identified up to February 2021. Our search included peer reviewed literature, working papers and news articles with the intent to capture evolving and novel updates on the topic. Narrative descriptions were written about thematic areas for which the authors extracted the most evidence.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-five articles were identified through our literature search and 17 were deemed appropriate for analysis. We identified three overarching themes: delayed care, disruption in service provision and utilization and mitigation strategies or recommendation.DiscussionAvailable literature suggests widespread service cutbacks amid a mosaic of mitigation strategies. Our results show that minor consideration was given to preserving health service access for mothers and children, especially in historically underserved areas. Lack of emergency preparedness and infrastructural constraints prevented useful approaches such as telemedicine from being meaningfully utilized.ConclusionsOur scoping review shows that limited research has been published on this topic. Reviewed literature illuminates the continuing need and prioritization for maternity services, immunization, and reproductive health services, which have not been prioritized during the pandemic, yet are necessary to shield the continent’s most vulnerable population segments from the shocks of current and future global health emergencies.

scholarly journals Resolution of Resilience: Empirical Findings on the Challenges Faced and the Mitigation Strategies Adopted by Community Health Workers (CHWs) to Provide Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Context of Odisha, India

Healthcare ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Bijaya Kumar Mishra ◽  
Srikanta Kanungo ◽  
Kripalini Patel ◽  
Swagatika Swain ◽  
Subhralaxmi Dwivedy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Maternal And Child Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Child Health Services ◽  
And Child Health

Community health workers (CHW) faced increased challenges in delivering maternal and child health services during the current COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to routine services, they were also engaged in pandemic management. In view of a dearth of evidence, the current study explores the challenges faced by CHWs while rendering maternal and child health services. A qualitative study through in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) in six districts of Odisha was conducted from February to April 2021. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA software. Personal-level challenges, like lack of family support, stress, and fear of contracting COVID-19; facility-level challenges, like transportation problems and inadequate personal protective measures; and community-level challenges, like stigma, resistance, and lack of community support were major hindrances in provisioning routine MCH services. Prevailing myths and misconceptions concerning COVID-19 were factors behind stigma and resistance. Sharing experiences with family, practicing yoga and pranayam, engaging ambulance bikes, financial assistance to mothers, counseling people, and involving community leaders were some effective strategies to address these challenges. Development and implementation of appropriate strategy guidelines for addressing the challenges of frontline warriors will improve their work performance and achieve uninterrupted MCH services during pandemics or similar health emergencies.

scholarly journals Assessing Access and Healthcare Quality of Maternal and Child Health Services in Facilities of Kasai Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britou Ndela ◽  
Philippe Ngwala ◽  
Adrien N’siala ◽  
Albert Kalonji ◽  
Felix Minuku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Maternal And Child Health ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Maternal Mortality Ratio ◽  
Child Health Services ◽  
Geographical Access ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
And Child Health

Abstract Background: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is classified among the 5 countries with the highest global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and highest under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in the world. Kasai is one of 14 provinces of the DRC, which have a high U5MR and MMR. Despite this overriding concern, almost no studies have been conducted to assess maternal et child situation in this province. The aim of this study was to assess access, availability, and quality of maternal and child health services in Kasai Province in the DRC. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 49 Health Facilities (HFs) integrating quantitative and qualitative data collection was conducted in 18 Health Zones in Kasai Province in the DRC. Documentary review, interviews and direct observation of HFs were performed to collect data. Pearson’s chi-squared test was performed to establish the relation between variables.Results: Nearly 54 % of visited HFs population had a geographical access to maternal and child health services and the majority of medical acts were unaffordable. Basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care (EmOC) were offered respectively by only 11.8% and 7.6% of HF and none provided high quality basic or comprehensive EmOC. This low availability and quality of EmOC are due to the insufficiency of necessary inputs and personal for maternal and child health services in the majority of HFs. Conclusion: The situation of maternal and child health services is very precarious in Kasai Province. The improvement of EmOC coverage will require rehabilitation of infrastructure, dotation of equipment, regular supply of medicines and strengthening of human resource capacity.

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