Impact of obstetric unit closures, travel time and distance to obstetric services on maternal and neonatal outcomes in high-income countries: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To systematically review (1) The effect of obstetric unit (OU) closures on maternal and neonatal outcomes and (2) The association between travel distance/time to an OU and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Design

Systematic review of any quantitative studies with a comparison group.

Data sources

Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Applied Social Science Index and Abstracts, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health and grey literature were searched.

Methods

Eligible studies explored the impact of closure of an OU or the effect of travel distance/time on prespecified maternal or neonatal outcomes. Only studies of women giving birth in high-income countries with universal health coverage of maternity services comparable to the UK were included. Identification

SUBMITTER: Malouf RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7735086 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature