Provision and utilization of maternal health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in 16 hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Maintaining provision and utilization of maternal healthcare services is susceptible to external influences. This study describes how maternity care was provided during the COVID-19 pandemic and assesses patterns of service utilization and perinatal health outcomes in 16 referral hospitals (four each) in Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda.

Methods

We used an embedded case-study design and two data sources. Responses to open-ended questions in a health-facility assessment survey were analyzed with content analysis. We described categories of adaptations and care provision modalities during the pandemic at the hospital and maternity ward levels. Aggregate monthly service statistics on antenatal care, delivery, caesarean section, maternal deaths, and stillbirths cover

SUBMITTER: Semaan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10644718 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature